Luke 8:3

There was also one notable by reason of the nobility of her husband; whence he adds: And Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the steward of Herod, who was a noble person. There was also one notable in herself, of whom it is added without a …

And Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward,.... Joanna, or Juchan, as the Syriac version calls her, was a name, among the Jews, for a woman, as Jochanan, or John, was for a man. In the Talmud (e) we read of one Jochani, or Joanni, the daughter of Retibi, the same name with this. Her husband's name was Chuza.

She had been his wife (so some), but was now a widow, and left in good circumstances. If she was now his wife, we have reason to think that her husband, though preferred in Herod's court, had received the gospel, and was very willing that his wife should be both a hearer of Christ and a contributor to him. There were many of them that ministered to Christ of their substance.

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.

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.

Let us mark, in these verses — our Lord Jesus Christ's unwearied diligence in doing good. We read that "He went throughout every city and village, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God." We know the reception that He met with in many places. We know that while some believed — many did not believe. But man's unbelief did not move our Lord, or hinder His working. He was always "doing His Father's business." As short as His earthly ministry was in point of duration — it was long when we consider the work that it comprised. Let the diligence of Christ be an example to all Christians. Let us follow in His steps — however far we may come short of His perfection. Like Him, let us labor to do good in our day and generation, and to leave the world a holier world than we found it. It is not in vain that the Scripture says expressly, "He who abides in Him — ought himself also so to walk even as He walked." (1 John 2:6.) Time is undoubtedly short. But much is to be done with time — if it is well economized and properly arranged. Few have an idea how much can be done in twelve hours — if men will stick to their business and avoid idleness and frivolity. Then let us, like our Lord, be diligent, and "redeem the time." Time is undoubtedly short. But it is the only season in which Christians can do any active work of mercy. In the world to come — there will be no ignorant to instruct, no mourners to comfort, no spiritual darkness to enlighten, no distress to relieve, no sorrow to minister to. Whatever work we do of this kind — must be done on this side of the grave. Let us awake to a sense of our individual responsibility. Souls are perishing — and time is flying! Let us resolve, by God's grace — to do something for God's glory before we die.

Let us mark, in these verses — our Lord Jesus Christ's unwearied diligence in doing good. We read that "He went throughout every city and village, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God." We know the reception that He met with in many places. We know that while some believed — many did not believe. But man's unbelief did not move our Lord, or hinder His working. He was always "doing His Father's business."

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.