Luke 8:1-3 1And it happened afterward he also went on through cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their own means.
Luke provides a summary statement of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and covers an unknown amount of time. Jesus’ primary mission could be summarized in teaching (verse 1) and healing, including casting out demons (verse 2). Jesus did not simply speak the good news audibly but brought it in his person. The good news focused on the coming of the kingdom of God. The kingdom was about him. He was the good news. Not everyone understood this, and some even rejected it. People today also do not understand that Jesus is the good news, not some abstract statement of faith. Jesus was more than a good teacher but the embodiment of God’s love and plan of restoration of all creation.
The twelve apostles watched everything Jesus did. They participated with him and learned through presence. Jesus was their daily mentor. The group faced many challenges and obstacles, many of which are recorded in the four Gospels. The twelve apostles learned what it means to trust in Jesus and follow him in word, thought, and deed. Jesus was a comprehensive teacher. He taught by word of mouth and ministry actions. He gives the best example of how to prepare people for ministry. The group spent time formal education in synagogues where the Scriptures were written down. They learned in informal activities with the gathered crowds. They also learned in non formal ways in watching Jesus and spending time in travel.
Verses 2 and 3 are significant because of the number of words devoted to describing several women. Luke’s Gospel has been noted has giving more attention to women. Several ideas can be noted about these verses. One is how the women accompanied the twelve apostles as they followed Jesus. Jesus had both male and female disciples. The primary difference is that the twelve apostles were to serve as the spokespersons and go out into the world with the message. They were Jesus’ special emissaries and intended to be the leaders of the new movement. Every other disciple had the same mission but in a more general way.
A second significant idea is the naming of several of the women. Often when a person is named in the New Testament, that person had developed a reputation or was “famous” in the early church. Otherwise, Luke (and other evangelists) would not have known the names since he was not an eye witness. For a name to pass down in the stories and history shows some importance and familiarity.
Mary Magdalene became famous because of her presence at the empty tomb and being the first witness of the resurrection. We do not know much of her backstory, but the note that we had been possessed by seven demons shows the depth of her need. At some point, she had met Jesus, who rescued her from her spiritual bondage. Then number of seven demons could be symbolic for the deep control evil had over her. She was from the village of Magdala, a town about three miles from Tiberias on the west side of the Lake of Galilee. There is no clear connection between Mary and the sinful woman in Simon’s house of the previous passage.
Little is said about the other women mentioned, but they may have been healed of various diseases. Word about Jesus had reached even to Herod’s household, with the wife of Herod’s manager, Chuza, experiencing Jesus’ healing touch. Chuza must have been extremely thankful for whatever the situation was. Jesus was available for those from the lowest to the highest in the land.
The third significant item in this list how these women provided for Jesus and his apostles from their own resources. Jesus and his disciples traveled by faith and relied on the generosity of other people. A subtle but important theme in Luke’s Gospel is hospitality. Hospitality can be shown in many ways. In this passage, the hospitality appears as financial support. There is not enough information to know to what extent these women had to sacrifice in order to support Jesus, but the point is that they did, and it was a sign of their own commitment to follow Jesus.
For older posts, click here.