What does Luke 8:3 Mean

[lwest]

Luke 8:3 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

3 And Joanna the wife of Chusa, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who ministered unto him of their substance.

Other translations read “provide for them out of their means”.

Why did they have to travel with Jesus? Why couldn’t they just give them their money? You’d think it’d be scandalous for those women to be travelling with all those men. Thoughts? Anyone?

 

[White_Tree]

Why did they have to travel with Jesus? Why couldn’t they just give them their money? You’d think it’d be scandalous for those women to be travelling with all those men. Thoughts? Anyone?

My initial reaction is, why should the women not travel with Jesus?

Jesus came to minister to all of humanity, not just men. Women have just as much of a right to be enriched by his presence as men do. If they just give him money and send him on his way, they miss all the benefits of his teaching and his presence.

Think of the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). Martha was providing material service, while Mary was sitting at his feet and listening to his teachings. Jesus clearly said that Mary had chosen the better portion. Certainly there would have been other women who felt as Mary did, and Jesus affirmed that Mary’s desires to be with him and to learn from him were right and good.

And when has Jesus cared about creating scandal? He was so controversial that they killed him for it. Worrying about “what people would think” if he had women traveling among his disciples doesn’t seem like it would be front and center in his mind.

 

[o_mlly]

Luke presents Jesus as an itinerant preacher traveling in the company of the Twelve and of the Galilean women who are sustaining them out of their means. These Galilean women will later accompany Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem and become witnesses to his death (Lk 23:49) and resurrection (Lk 24:9–11, where Mary Magdalene and Joanna are specifically mentioned; cf. also Acts 1:14). The association of women with the ministry of Jesus is most unusual in the light of the attitude of first-century Palestinian Judaism toward women. The more common attitude is expressed in Jn 4:27, and early rabbinic documents caution against speaking with women in public.

Luke, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB

 

[Bluebright]

If you read the revelations of Venerable Mary of Agreda (which you are free not to believe of course) you will hear that the Virgin Mary did not as is supposed remain in Nazareth but travelled most of the time with Christ and was seldom away from him listening to his sermons along with most people (though always on her knees in reverence). ( The mystical city of God)
Like a previous poster said why should women not travel with Jesus? Save the question of their husband’s minding (if they had one) and social norms… though its entirely possible that the husband was travelling too such as Mary the wife of Cleopas and Cleopas. I expect Jesus broke with tradition there, regarding society.

But Mary’s presence no doubt helped in that respect should you chose to believe Mary of Agreda. It certainly would make it more socially acceptable I think at least… for single woman to stay with a holy mother than a man.

 

[EugeneCharles]

I’m pretty sure that they were attracted by Jesus. Have you heard of the song from the Sister Act entitled I will follow Him?

“There isn’t an ocean too deep, a mountain so high that can keep, keep me away, away from His love!” They could’ve felt that Jesus is the fulfillment of their life.

They’re following Jesus that’s why they don’t worry. They put their faith on Him and considered Him as a part of their lives.

 

[lwest]

I can understand that. The wording is what confuses me. “They provided for their needs”…“They provided for them out of their resources”…depending on the translation. What needs? What resources. I’m guessing these needs weren’t sexual in nature.

 

[EugeneCharles]

They need financial support and other materials. Jesus is also a human who needs food, drink, and shelter plus clothing. These women provided these things for them. In the Acts, St. Paul thanked and mentioned the donors and sponsors so often. Yeah… These things weren’t sexual in nature.

 

[Gorgias]

Save the question of their husband’s minding (if they had one) and social norms… though its entirely possible that the husband was travelling too such as Mary the wife of Cleopas and Cleopas. I expect Jesus broke with tradition there, regarding society.

In the recent thread about “sister wives”, I recall that someone made the claim that such an arrangement was allowed among Jews, but that in the pagan world, it would have met with raised eyebrows (well, it would have made folks think that the woman was, uhh… there in order to make herself ‘available’ to the man, if you get my drift).

What needs? What resources. I’m guessing these needs weren’t sexual in nature.

No. The understanding is that they were taking care of other normal, daily needs – food and food prep, etc, etc.

 

[Julius_Caesar]

But Mary’s presence no doubt helped in that respect should you chose to believe Mary of Agreda. It certainly would make it more socially acceptable I think at least… for single woman to stay with a holy mother than a man

For a large part Scripture implies Mary remained in Nazareth most of the time. In the chapter Jesus’ mother and brothers come to see Him. Presumably they came from Nazareth.

 

[Bluebright]

I don’t know how to do the quote thing

You say presumably they came from Nazareth…or they came from their lodgings…who knows?

I am just saying that a lot is, as you’ve done assumed, but not said. As I said you are free not to believe it and as I said Mary was with Jesus most of the time according to these revelations…most not all.
I am not an expert in either Scripture or The mystical City of God, nor can the two be compared they are not of the same matter. The revelations merely complement Scripture. I merely thought people might be interested to think of Mary being present and so sanctifying the group of woman… like a Mother Superior in a convent or something like that.( my opinion only)