Episode 1237: St Joanna wife of Chuza

Joanna the Wife of Chuza

Joanna, the wife of Chuza, is a fascinating figure mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible. Though her appearances are brief, her story is significant and provides valuable insights into the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Luke introduces Joanna in chapter 8, verse 3, where she is listed as one of the women who accompanied Jesus and the disciples during their itinerant ministry. Luke describes Joanna as the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod Antipas' household. This connection suggests that Joanna and her husband belonged to the upper echelons of society, as Chuza held a prominent position in the court of Herod, the ruler of Galilee.

Despite her high social standing, Joanna chose to follow Jesus, demonstrating her deep commitment to his teachings and the transformative power of his message. She recognized the significance of Jesus' ministry and became a devoted disciple. It is noteworthy that Joanna is one of the few women mentioned in the Bible who financially supported Jesus' ministry out of her own means, along with Mary Magdalene and Susanna.

Joanna's decision to align herself with Jesus and his mission might have entailed personal risks and societal scrutiny, as her husband served in the court of Herod, who was not known for his favorable disposition towards Jesus. Nevertheless, Joanna's faith and dedication were unyielding, as she recognized the spiritual truth and salvation found in Jesus' teachings.

It is also worth mentioning that Joanna played a crucial role in one of the most significant events of Jesus' life—the resurrection. In the accounts of Jesus' resurrection in Luke 24, Joanna is one of the women who visited the tomb on the third day after Jesus' crucifixion, only to find it empty. They encountered angels who proclaimed Jesus' resurrection, and they hurriedly shared this incredible news with the disciples. Joanna's witness of the empty tomb and her participation in spreading the good news of the resurrection highlight her central role in the early Christian narrative.
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.' And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened" (Luke 24:1-12, ESV).

This passage describes Joanna, along with Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and other women, going to the tomb of Jesus early in the morning. They discover that the stone sealing the tomb has been rolled away, and upon entering, they do not find Jesus' body. Instead, they encounter two angels who inform them about Jesus' resurrection. The women then rush back to the disciples and share this incredible news, but initially, their words are dismissed as an idle tale. Peter, however, is prompted to investigate and finds the tomb empty, marveling at what has happened.

Although the biblical accounts do not provide further details about Joanna's life beyond these significant mentions, her faithfulness and dedication to Jesus' ministry speak volumes. She exemplified a courageous and unwavering commitment to following Christ, even in the face of societal expectations and potential consequences.

Joanna, the wife of Chuza, serves as an inspiration to believers today. Her story reminds us of the transformative power of encountering Jesus and the importance of wholeheartedly embracing His teachings. Her example encourages us to be bold in our faith, regardless of our societal positions or circumstances, and to actively contribute to the work of God's kingdom.
The obvious question is whether Joanna had any role in getting Herods wife to follow Christ.
"While he [Pilate] was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him'" (Matthew 27:19, NASB).

In this verse, Pilate's wife sends a message to her husband, urging him not to have any involvement in the trial and condemnation of Jesus. She speaks of having suffered greatly in a dream due to Jesus, whom she perceives as a righteous man.
To appreciate Joanna is to know who her husband was:
Chuza is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. He is identified as the husband of Joanna, one of the women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry. Here are the relevant details about Chuza:

Occupation and Position: Chuza is described as the steward or manager of Herod Antipas' household. Herod Antipas was the ruler of Galilee during the time of Jesus' ministry. As a steward, Chuza would have held a significant position of responsibility, overseeing the household affairs and managing the resources of Herod's court.

Social Status: Chuza's position as a steward indicates that he and his wife, Joanna, likely belonged to the upper class of society. They would have had access to wealth, privilege, and influence, as well as connections to the ruling elite.

Joanna's Dedication: Although not much is explicitly mentioned about Chuza himself, his wife Joanna is highlighted as one of the women who followed Jesus and provided support for His ministry. Joanna is specifically mentioned as someone who accompanied Jesus and the disciples and contributed to the financial needs of the group out of her own means (Luke 8:3). This suggests that Chuza's support and understanding of his wife's commitment to Jesus played a role in Joanna's ability to participate in Jesus' ministry.

Relationship to Herod's Court: Chuza's position in Herod Antipas' household would have likely brought him into contact with the political and social circles of the time. It is interesting to note that Joanna, as Chuza's wife, was aligned with Jesus and His teachings, even though her husband served under Herod, who was not favorable towards Jesus. This might have posed certain challenges or conflicts within their relationship and social circles.