In 1883, Helen Mar Whitney wrote that “in the life of Christ, [we can] see the devotion that was shown by woman. She was last to linger at the Cross, and was first at the Sepulchre.” 1 Although Sister Whitney did not specify which women she was describing, included among them are the women who followed Christ from Galilee. Luke describes these women, writing that Jesus “went throughout every city and village, preaching … : and the twelve were with him, and certain women, which had been healed … , Mary called Magdalene, … and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance” (Luke 8:1–3; emphasis added).
The phrase “many others” implies a group of significant size. Many faithful women were with Christ. These women teach us to build up the kingdom of God and to be present with those who are suffering. They teach us to be brave and to stay close to Christ even when things are hard. Perhaps most importantly, they teach us that through Christ we can leave the darkness and come into the light.
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, 2 and the many other women who followed Christ were not passive; rather, they actively and materially supported Him in His ministry (see Luke 8:2–3). Joanna is specifically mentioned as being married to Herod’s steward, likely meaning that her husband was in a position of means and authority for King Herod Antipas, the ruler in Galilee.
As these women accompanied Christ in Galilee, they likely heard many of His sermons, listened to His parables, and witnessed miracles such as the healing of the woman with an issue of blood and the woman who had had an infirmity for 18 years (see Luke 8:43–48; 13:11–13). They were probably present at the feeding of the 5,000 and many other miracles (see Luke 9:12–17; 14:1–4). As Christ’s Galilean ministry drew to a close, some of these women followed Him on a weeklong journey to Jerusalem (see Matthew 27:55–56).
Read the full list of lessons learned in the March 2022 Liahona here.
Notes
1. Helen Mar Whitney, “The Voice of One of the Poor Females of Utah,” Woman’s Exponent, Mar. 15, 1883, 157.
2. Luke 8:3 is the only scriptural passage that specifically mentions Susanna.