Lk 8:1-3
1[Jesus] journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve 2and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.
Galilean Women: Luke notes that as Jesus journeys from one town and village to another to preach the gospel, he is accompanied by his inner circle of disciples: the Twelve whom he himself chose. This is to be expected. What is surprising is that they are also accompanied by a group of women from Galilee. Women then were allowed to hear the word of God in the synagogue, but they were never disciples of a rabbi unless their husband was a rabbi and was willing to teach them. Yet, Jesus intends that his ministry of teaching and healing also benefits women. He teaches Mary, the sister of Martha (Lk 10:39), and heals Mary Magdalene of seven demons.
There is a debate whether the gospel reflects a historical memory in the life of Jesus, whether Jesus and his group of wandering men were indeed accompanied by a group of unattached women. Whatever might have been the historical fact, Luke’s picture is a reflection of the life of the Christian community in his own time. The evangelist is teaching that women are equally called to be disciples and witnesses as the gospel is preached throughout the world. The women from Galilee would anticipate the likes of Tabitha, completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving (Acts 9:36), Lydia, who welcomes Paul and Barnabas (Acts 16:15), and Priscilla, who along with her husband Aquila, is a missionary collaborator of Paul (Acts 18:2). Moreover, in Paul’s circle we find remarkable women like Phoebe, a deacon at Cenchreae (Rom 16:1), Chloe, host of the church in Corinth (1 Cor 1:11), Mary, Persis, Julia, and other Christian women of Rome (Rom 15:6-17).