Intro
We first read of Joanna in Luke 8:1-3. We learn that she was healed by Jesus (of what we do not know), that she was the wife of Chuza who was the manager of Herod’s household (Herod was ruler over Galilee), and that she provided for the practical needs of the ministry of Jesus and his other disciples.
Her name is of Hebrew origin (meaning “Yahweh is a gracious giver”) but in the Greek format, suggesting she was perhaps a daughter of Hellenistic Jews.
A Woman of Prominence in Society
As the wife of Herod’s household manager (similar to a CFO), she would have been both wealthy and well connected. In first century Palestine, it would be no little scandal that she followed Jesus and his largely peasant group – all while unchaperoned! It appeared that she was humbled by Jesus’ grace toward her and no longer cared much of what others thought of her.
Interestingly, tradition tells the tale that Herod, who had beheaded John the Baptist, buried his head in a dung heap. Joanna is said to have retrieved John’s head and to have buried it on the Mount of Olives.
A Witness of the Crucifixion
Although she is not specifically named as being at the crucifixion of Jesus, it is likely she was among the company of women following Jesus to Calvary (Luke 23:27). Remember that she was a member of Herod’s court and that Herod had just finished mocking Jesus and sending him back to Pilate to die. The bravery Joanna showed in doing this is remarkable.
A Witness of the Resurrection
In Luke 24:1-10, we see that the author mentions Joanna as one of the very first witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. This was both an honour and a surprise. A women’s testimony in first century Palestine was not given much credence, yet the Lord chose these women to be his first post-resurrection encounter. As usual, Jesus was honouring and respecting women in a society that didn’t.
Joanna and Junia
In Romans 16:7, Paul mentions his “kinsmen and fellow prisoners” Andronicus and Junia. Evangelical Scholar, Richard Bauckham, believes that Joanna and Junia are one and the same person; Junia being the Latin form of Joanna. This makes sense since Paul goes on to say that “they were in Christ before me”. It is worth noting that Joanna started out as prominent in Herod’s court yet gave it all up for Jesus. Now, in Paul’s epistle, we see she is prominent among the apostles.
This reminds me of missionary, Jim Elliot’s, quote:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
Joanna remains a vivid reminder of courage, generosity and devoted love for Christ.
