I tend to imagine Jesus working his way around the countryside trailed by his band of twelve. But a lot more people joined his entourage, including many women. Luke shares this insight:

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Joanna followed Jesus throughout his ministry years. She was one of several women (along with Mary Magdalene) who took spices to anoint the dead body of Jesus and found an empty tomb instead. Mary Magdalene may have been the most devout disciple of Jesus, men and women included. She followed wholeheartedly, and after suffering through the crucifixion Jesus appeared to her immediately upon his resurrection.

These women not only joined Jesus and the twelve, but supported the work out of their personal resources. Joanna, Mary, Susanna and others formed a financial network for the ongoing ministry of Jesus. They freely gave of their time, money, influence and expertise.

It takes a wide group of people to run a successful enterprise. Let’s not overlook the women who made Jesus’s work possible, and let’s not take for granted the many diverse followers who quietly make the work of Jesus possible today.

Luke 8 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Jehyun Sung