Luke 8 · Verse 3

Luke 8:3

And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Luke 8:3, King James Version

Luke 8:3 in other translations

BSBJoanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means.
WEBand Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who served them from their possessions.
ASVand Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unto them of their substance.
YLTand Joanna wife of Chuza, steward of Herod, and Susanna, and many others, who were ministering to him from their substance.
DARBYand Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to him of their substance.
BBEAnd Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's chief house-servant, and Susanna and a number of others, who gave him of their wealth for his needs.
WebsterAnd Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to him of their substance.

What does Luke 8:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward--If the steward of such a godless, cruel, and licentious wretch as Herod Antipas (see on Mr 6:14, &c.) differed greatly from himself, his post would be no easy or enviable one. That he was a disciple of Christ is very improbable, though he might be favorably disposed towards Him. But what we know not of him, and may fear he lacked, we are sure his wife possessed. Healed either of "evil spirits" or of some one of the "infirmities" here referred to--the ordinary diseases of humanity--she joins in the Saviour's train of grateful, clinging followers. Of "Susanna," next mentioned, we know nothing but the name, and that here only. But her services on this memorable occasion have immortalized her name. "Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done," in ministering to the Lord of her substance on His Galilean tour, "shall be spoken of as a memorial of her" (Mr 14:9). many others--that is, many other healed women. What a train! and all ministering unto Him of their substance, and He allowing them to do it and subsisting upon it! "He who was the support of the spiritual life of His people disdained not to be supported by them in the body. He was not ashamed to penetrate so far into the depths of poverty as to live upon the alms of love. He only fed others miraculously; for Himself, He lived upon the love of His people. He gave all things to men, His brethren, and received all things from them, enjoying thereby the pure blessing of love: which is then only perfect when it is at the same time both giving and receiving. Who could invent such things as these? It was necessary to live in this manner that it might be so recorded" [Olshausen].

Lu 8:4-18. Parable of the Sower.

(See on Mr 4:3-9, Mr 4:14-20.)

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. Herod's Steward. Herod Antipas, who reigned in Galilee. He was a son of Herod the Great. The word steward means one who has charge of the domestic affairs of a family, to provide for it. This office was generally held by a slave who was esteemed the most faithful, and was often conferred as a reward of fidelity.

Ministered. Gave for his support.

Of their substance. Their property; their possessions. Christians then believed, when they professed to follow christ, that it was proper to give all up to him--that is, to commit all that we have to his disposal; to be willing to part with it for the promotion of his glory, and to leave it when he calls us away from it.

(c) "ministered" 2Cor 8:9

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 Herod's steward - Though the original word, επιτροπος, signifies sometimes the inspector or overseer of a province, and sometimes a tutor of children, yet here it seems to signify the overseer of Herod's domestic affairs: the steward of his household. Steward of the household was an office in the king's palace by s. 24, of Hen. VIII. The person is now entitled lord steward of the king's household, and the office is, I believe, more honorable and of more importance than when it was first created. Junius derives the word from the Islandic stivardur, which is compounded of stia, work, and vardur, a keeper, or overseer: hence our words, warder, warden, ward, guard, guardian, etc. The Greek word in Hebrew letters is frequent in the rabbinical writings, אפיטדופום, and signifies among them the deputy ruler of a province. See on Luk 16:1 (note). In the Islandic version, it is forsionarmanns. Unto him - Instead of αυτῳ, to him, meaning Christ, many of the best MSS. and versions have αυτοις, to them, meaning both our Lord and the twelve apostles, see Luk 8:1. This is unquestionably the true meaning. Christ receives these assistances and ministrations, says pious Quesnel, - 1. To honor poverty by subjecting himself to it. 2. To humble himself in receiving from his creatures. 3. That he may teach the ministers of the Gospel to depend on the providence of their heavenly Father. 4. To make way for the gratitude of those he had healed. And, 5. That he might not be burthensome to the poor to whom he went to preach.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 8:1-3

We are here told what Christ made the constant business of his life, it was teaching the gospel. Tidings of the kingdom of God are glad tidings, and what Christ came to bring. Certain women attended upon him who ministered to him of their substance. It showed the mean condition to which the Saviour humbled himself, that he needed their kindness, and his great humility, that he accepted it. Though rich, yet for our…

Read the full comment on Luke 8:1-3 →

Luke 8:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiandG2532
ἸωάνναIōannaJoannaG2489
γυνὴgunēwifeG1135
ΧουζᾶChouzaof ChuzaG5529
ἐπιτρόπουepitropoua stewardG2012
ἩρῴδουHērōdouof HerodG2264
καὶkaiandG2532
ΣουσάνναSousannaSusannaG4677
καὶkaiandG2532
ἕτεραιheteraiothersG2087
πολλαὶpollaimanyG4183
αἵτινεςaitineswhoG3748
διηκόνουνdiēkonounwere ministeringG1247
αὐτοῖςautoisto themG846
ἐκekout ofG1537
τῶνtōntheG3588
ὑπαρχόντωνhuparchontōnpossessionsG5225
αὐταῖς.¶autaisof theirs.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 8:3

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

  • Philippians 4:22

    All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar’s household.

  • Acts 9:36-39

    Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

  • John 4:46-53

    So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. …

  • 1 Timothy 5:10

    Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:14

    But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

  • Matthew 25:40

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

  • Matthew 26:11

    For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

  • Matthew 2:11

    And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

  • Isaiah 23:18

    And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

  • Luke 24:10

    It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

  • Luke 9:7-9

    Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Joanna.
24:10
Herod's.
9:7-9; Joh 4:46-53; Ac 13:1; Php 4:22
of their.
1Ch 29:14; Isa 23:18; Mt 2:11; 25:40; 26:11; Ac 9:36-39; 2Co 8:9
1Ti 5:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 8:2

    And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

  • Luke 8:3

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

  • Luke 8:4

    And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

Read all of Luke 8

Luke 8:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y Juana, mujer de Chuza, procurador de Herodes, y Susana, y otras muchas que le servían de sus haciendas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
et Jeanne, femme de Chuzas intendant d’Hérode, et Susanne, et plusieurs autres, qui l’assistaient de leurs biens.
German
Elberfelder 1871
und Johanna, das Weib Chusas, des Verwalters Herodes, und Susanna und viele andere, die ihm dienten mit ihrer Habe.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
et Joanna uxor Chusæ procuratoris Herodis, et Susanna, et aliæ multæ, quæ ministrabant ei de facultatibus suis.