Who was Joanna in the Bible?

Wife of Chuza, Herod's steward: she ministered to the Lord of her substance, and was one who carried news of His resurrection to the apostles. Luke 8:3; Luke 24:10.

In this intensive evangelization throughout the land, the twelve were with Him, and also many women, three of whom are mentioned by name, all evidently having been healed of infirmities or demon possession. Mary of Magdala was one who loved much, for she had been delivered from the oppression of seven demons. This is not, as some have imagined, moral depravity, but spiritual captivity, both frightening and oppressive. Joanna is noted as the wife of Herod's steward, a man of high rank and responsibility. These facts may awaken our interest, but whatever questions we may have as to the facts are not answered. But the faith of Joanna and of Mary Magdalene brought them to the grave of the Lord Jesus on the first day of the week (Lk.24:10). Susanna is mentioned only by name.

These women ministered of their substance to the Lord. For the Lord of glory, possessor of all creation, to make Himself dependent on the ministrations of women, in lowly humility, is really a blessed testimony to the grace of His heart, while at the same time they are given opportunity to express their appreciation of His grace in a way that will receive a full reward from God.

But besides Mary Magdalene, one of those who ministered to the Lord of their substance was Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward.194 Thus God called where one might least expect it: and she who was connected with the Court of the false king rejoiced to be permitted to follow the despised but true King, Jesus of Nazareth.

But others were not wanting — "Susanna and many others," but of whom we know nothing, save that which grace gave them, in honouring Jesus to find their everlasting honour. They were attracted by the Lord Jesus, and ministered to Him as they could.

The Lord had already begun the work of evangelising (Luke 4:43-44). Now, in company with the twelve, called out as we have seen in chapter 6, He went forth through cities and villages, preaching, and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. The Apostles, who were shortly to be sent to preach, could thus first learn how the Master handled the theme of those glad tidings, a theme, till He handled it, never before dealt with upon earth. Villages on this occasion were to be evangelised as well as cities. The good news was not to be confined to places where there were synagogues. At first (Matt. 4:23; Mark 1:39; Luke 4:44) the Lord preached in synagogues. But He would extend the sphere of His labours to reach people, if possible, wherever they might be. It was the King proclaiming the kingdom. But what king had ever been called to do that, but Himself? He was the King, though in humiliation. And whilst Lord of all, and upholding all things by the word of His power, He was yet ministered to by certain women, some apparently of substance, who had been healed by Him of evil spirits and infirmities. The names of three are given us: Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; and Susanna; and many others to us unknown. These ministered to them (i.e. the Lord and the twelve), as the better reading gives it. Woman's sphere of influence is not to be despised. In personal ministry she finds a place, and an honourable place, and one more suited for women than for men. The Lord sanctioned such service, and accepted it likewise. Of their substance they gave to Him and to the twelve. The three named were all doubtless women of note, or of station. Joanna is mentioned again (Luke 24:10). Susanna appears nowhere else. Mary Magdalene had the distinguished honour of bearing a message from the risen Saviour to His brethren.

How did the women respond to the grace that was in Him? It is not recorded that ever a woman spoke a hard word about Him; even the wife of pagan Pilate would have saved her husband from the guilt of condemning Him, if he had hearkened to her; and tears flowed down the faces of the daughters of Jerusalem when He was led away to His crucifixion. But what of those whom He bound to Himself by His grace and made His disciples? Some of them had been "healed of evil spirits and infirmities." Amongst these was Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils — she was not a woman of the streets as is popularly supposed, hers was a worse plight than that — a sevenfold malignant Satanic power had enslaved her and Jesus had set her free — and with her there was Joanna the wife of Herod's steward, and Susanna and many others — we are not told from what particular evils they had been delivered, but they joined together with the Magdalene in the happy grateful service of ministering to Him of their substance. They had something to give and they gave it to Him willingly and joyfully. Rich men came and ministered to Him in His death, but these women of substance cared for Him in His life (Luke 8:2-3).

So, in chapter 24:8-10, we have merely the general fact as to all the women that came from Galilee, without any detail; and to the eleven and all the rest Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James, and the others with them, told these things to the apostles. It was the affair of the women: where, and when, or who, to each or to several or collectively, is passed over entirely. It was not the object here of the Spirit of God. What He does tell us is the fact, and He gives it a moral character, and some additional particulars which are not elsewhere, but no details. It is possible that more than one party of women went to the sepulchre, and that hearing from the first party or through their means they went down. However, I have no object in supposing it: verses 22, 23 would rather say otherwise, as also verse 1. I do not speak here of Mary Magdalene. But this the scripture was not concerned to tell us. Each word of what it does tell us bears truth in it for the soul. So verses 23, 24. It is all put generally together; for we may well suppose that verse 24 refers to Peter and John, though most likely the two that went to Emmaus only heard this as a general report.

Meanwhile Mary Magdalene, Joanna (the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward), Mary, the mother of our Lord, and other women from Galilee came early to the sepulchre, bringing spices, only to find the stone rolled away. Entering the sepulchre they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. The angel reassured the sorrowing women telling them not to fear, saying:

162 I think it is clear that we have divers visits of the women to the sepulchre. First, as to Mary Magdalene, it is clear she came early, while it was yet dark, and went away without more to Peter and John to tell them. Mark also notices the Lord's appearing first to Mary Magdalene. The angels were there all the time - at least, appeared repeatedly; one sat on the stone as the women came up - one at the right, when they went in - two, in Luke, speaking to others than Mary and Salome, but these give no message, only say He was risen - and two are inside, at head and feet where Jesus had been laid, watching where Mary's heart was. I apprehend Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and Joanna were much together. Mary Magdalene goes alone, then Mary and Joanna, and then others come up; all these last probably went away together.

And so, if Mark's "Salome" is set against Luke's "Johanna," the common-sense explanation is that Luke must have included Salome among "the others" he speaks of in the same verse (Luke 24:10).

347 There was not faith properly in the resurrection, but there was enough to occupy their heart to tell to the disciples of what they had seen and heard. These faithful women, faithful if ignorant, were not forgotten of the Lord, and if eclipsed by the service of those whom the Lord sent, He, whose ways are grace, has preserved their memorial, and their early seeking of the Lord. If in ignorance, there to be instructed, and to bear the message to the apostles themselves. But to these they were "as idle tales, and they believed them not." They were the tales of their imagination. But Peter's heart, if broken and sunk within, was the more affected by what he heard, and he runs "to the sepulchre: and, stooping down, he sees the "wrappings laid aside there, and he went away, apart, wondering.