John Calvin Commentary Luke 8:3

John Calvin Commentary

Luke 8:3

1509–1564
Protestant
John Calvin
John Calvin

John Calvin Commentary

Luke 8:3

1509–1564
Protestant
SCRIPTURE

"and Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod`s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unto them of their substance." — Luke 8:3 (ASV)

Joanna, the wife of Chuza. It is uncertain whether Luke intended his statement to apply to those women in the same manner as to Mary. To me, it appears probable that she is placed first in order, as a person in whom Christ had given a signal display of his power; and that the wife of Chuza, and Susanna, matrons of respectability and of spotless reputation, are mentioned afterwards because they had only been cured of ordinary diseases.

Those matrons being wealthy and of high rank, it reflects higher commendation on their pious zeal that they supply Christ’s expenses out of their own property, and, not satisfied with doing so, leave the care of their household affairs and choose to follow him, attended by reproach and many other inconveniences, through various and uncertain habitations, instead of living quietly and at ease in their own houses.

It is even possible that Chuza, Herod’s steward, being too much like his master, was strongly opposed to what his wife did in this matter, but that the pious woman overcame this opposition by the ardor and constancy of her zeal.