And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward. If the steward of such a godless, cruel, and licentious sovereign as Herod Antipas (see the note at Mark 6:14, etc.) 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 favourably disposed toward Him. But what we know not of him, and may fear he wanted, 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.
And Susanna. Of her we know nothing but the name, and that in this one place 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 this Galilean tour, "shall be spoken of as a memorial of her" (Mark 14:9).
And many others, х kai (G2532) heterai (G2087) pollai (G4183)] - that is, 'many other healed women,'
Which ministered unto him - rather, according to the better supported reading, 'unto them;' that is, to the Lord and the Twelve.
Remarks:
(1) What a train have we here! all ministering to the Lord of their substance, and He allowing them to do it, and subsisting upon it. Blessed Saviour! It melts us to see Thee living upon the love of Thy ransomed people. That they bring Thee their poor offerings we wonder not. Thou hast sown unto them spiritual things, and they think it, as well they might, a small thing that Thou shouldst reap their carnal things (1 Corinthians 9:11). But dost Thou take it at their hand, and subsist upon it? "O the depth of the riches" - of this poverty of His! Very noble are the words of Olshausen upon this scene: '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.' See more on this exalted subject, at Luke 19:28-44. Remark 2, at the close of that section. But
(2) May not His loving people, and particularly those of the tender clinging sex, still accompany Him as He goes from land to land preaching, by His servants, and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God? and may they not minister to Him of their substance by sustaining and cheering these agents of His? Verily they may; and they do. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Yes, as He is with them "alway, even unto the end of the world," in preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God, even so, as many as are with the faithful workers of this work, and helpful to them in it, are accompanying Him and ministering to Him of their substance. But see the notes at Matthew 25:31-46, concluding Remarks.