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Luke 8:1–3
“Afterward [Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”
Today we return to our study of the gospel of Luke, picking up in chapter 8. As we see in today’s passage, Luke provides another summary of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee (see also Luke 4:44; 5:15).
Luke tells us that Jesus went through the cities and villages, preaching the kingdom of God. He notes that the Twelve journeyed with Christ throughout the region, bearing witness to His preaching (Luke 8:1). What is particularly notable about today’s passage, however, is that Luke says that the Twelve were not the only people traveling with Jesus. The Evangelist identifies some women who were with Jesus as well: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (Luke 8:2–3). Commentators frequently note that Luke’s gospel pays special attention to women, and these verses are one reason that scholars make that argument.
The first thing to note about these women is that they had been recipients of our Savior’s mercy. They had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, though exactly how Jesus had restored the women is specified only in the case of Mary Magdalene. According to Luke, Jesus had driven seven demons from her, indicating that He healed her from a particularly strong case of demonic possession (Luke 8:2). Contrary to many popular views about Mary Magdalene, the Bible never says that she was a former prostitute.
Second, these women were disciples of Jesus. They traveled with Him and were there to hear His teaching. This willingness to include women as disciples, or learners, set Jesus and His followers apart from other rabbis and their students. These women were not Apostles, of course, but they were students of Jesus. All people, male and female, are called to be students of the Savior (Matt. 28:18–20).
Third, the identity of these women indicates that Jesus’ disciples included some who possessed high social status. We do not know anything about Susanna except her name, but Luke explains that Joanna was the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager. Chuza, as the man in charge of the household of the client-king ruling over Galilee, was at the top of the social hierarchy, with all the privileges and wealth that came with that position. Joanna used some of this wealth to support the work of Jesus and provide for the needs of the traveling band of disciples, pooling it with the resources contributed by the other women (Luke 8:3). From the very beginning, people from all walks of life were following Jesus.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
The gospel is for all people, rich and poor, socially connected and socially marginalized. We err if we try to tailor our churches and our preaching to only one socioeconomic status. Making disciples of all nations entails preaching the gospel to everyone (Matt. 28:18–20), so let us work hard to make sure that the church is seeking to reach all kinds of people.
for further study
- Isaiah 40:5
- Luke 10:38–42
- 1 Timothy 6:17–19
- James 2:1–7
the bible in a year
- 1 Samuel 27–29
- Luke 17:1–19