The Text

Luke 8:1-3 :: New English Translation (NET)

8:1 Some time afterward he went on through towns and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 8:2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and disabilities: Mary (called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had gone out, 8:3 and Joanna the wife of Cuza (Herod’s household manager), Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.

Jesus—Observations

Granted, this doesn’t show Jesus appealing for support. But it does show that He and the Twelve received donor support. As a fundraiser, these few verses are comforting to me. Even if I’m raising money that will, in part, pay for my work, I know Jesus received support for his work too. It seems striking to me that these women would be able to help “out of their own means” (Luke 8:3). In this culture, women were largely seen as property of their husbands or fathers, but they must have had some sort of “resources” in order to give out of them. This points to Jesus being truly open to relating to everyone, not just the poor but the rich as well. (Isn’t it wonderfully ironic that some of Jesus’ provision came from Herod’s household?)