Luke 8:3 - Susanna - Woman Who Ministered to Jesus | Women of the Bible
“And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” — Luke 8:3 KJVSusanna is one of the lesser-known women of the Bible. Scripture mentions her by name only in Luke 8:3, yet that single verse tells us something significant about her: Susanna used what she possessed to minister to Jesus. Luke places her among a group of women who accompanied and materially supported Jesus' ministry.
We are not told whether Susanna was married, widowed, wealthy, young, elderly, or what happened to her later. We should therefore resist filling the silence of Scripture with speculation.
What God chose to preserve about Susanna is her service.
The Meaning of Susanna
The Greek form of her name is Sousanna (Σουσάννα), corresponding to the Hebrew Shoshannah, associated with a lily.
The meaning is beautiful, but Luke's emphasis is not upon her name's symbolism. His emphasis is upon what she did.
Susanna was a woman who ministered.
The Women Who Followed Jesus
The context begins in Luke 8:1:
“And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,” — Luke 8:1 KJV
Jesus was traveling through cities and villages proclaiming the kingdom of God.
The twelve were with Him, but Luke deliberately tells us that women were also present.
Luke 8:2 mentions:
“certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities…”
Mary Magdalene is specifically named, followed by Joanna and Susanna.
These women were not incidental to Luke's account. He deliberately preserved their names and their contribution to Jesus' ministry.
“And Susanna”
Susanna receives no additional description.
Mary Magdalene is identified by what Jesus had delivered her from.
Joanna is identified as the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward.
But Luke simply says:
“and Susanna…”
Sometimes Scripture tells us very little about a person because the one fact given is sufficient for the point being made.
Susanna was there.
She followed.
She served.
She gave.
And God caused her name to be remembered.
“Which Ministered Unto Him”
This is especially important.
Luke says these women:
“ministered unto him…”
The Greek verb behind “ministered” is related to diakoneō, meaning to serve or minister. The passage describes practical service rendered to Jesus and His traveling ministry.
This reminds us that ministry is broader than standing before a congregation and speaking.
Ministry can include teaching and preaching where God has called someone to those functions, but ministry also includes practical service.
Some proclaim.
Some teach.
Some give.
Some prepare.
Some help.
Some provide.
Some pray.
Some support those who are carrying the Word into other places.
Susanna's service mattered because it helped support the earthly ministry of Jesus.
“Of Their Substance”
Luke adds:
“of their substance.”
The word translated “substance” refers to possessions or resources. The women were using what belonged to them to assist Jesus' ministry.
This means their contribution was tangible.
Their devotion was not merely expressed in words.
They put their resources behind what they believed.
That is stewardship.
God had placed something into their hands, and they chose to use it in service to Christ.
Women Helped Support the Ministry of Jesus
Luke 8:3 gives us an important picture of women in the ministry of Jesus.
These women were not merely spectators standing in the background.
They were contributing.
They were serving.
They were giving.
They were participating in the practical needs surrounding Jesus' traveling ministry.
Jesus was preaching:
“the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.”
And these women were using their resources to help sustain the work.
Their contribution was different from the ministry of the twelve, but different does not mean insignificant.
The kingdom involves many forms of faithful service.
Giving Is Also Ministry
Susanna teaches us something that is sometimes overlooked:
Giving can be ministry.
A person may never stand behind a pulpit.
A person may never travel as a missionary.
A person may never become publicly known.
Yet through faithful stewardship, that person can help make ministry possible.
Paul later expressed a similar principle when writing concerning those who supported gospel work:
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” — Philippians 4:17 KJV
When we use our resources for God's purposes, the act of giving itself becomes an expression of worship and service.
Susanna Served Without Seeking Recognition
Luke does not record anything Susanna said.
There is no sermon attributed to her.
There is no recorded miracle associated with her.
There is no lengthy biography.
Yet her name appears in Scripture.
Why?
Because service matters to God.
Much of the work that sustains ministry happens where few people see it.
Someone prepares.
Someone gives.
Someone cleans.
Someone cooks.
Someone organizes.
Someone provides transportation.
Someone encourages.
Someone prays.
Someone quietly meets a need.
People may overlook such service.
God does not.
Jesus Accepted the Ministry of Women
Luke's account also shows that Jesus received practical support from women.
He did not treat their contribution as meaningless.
Their service was part of the ministry environment surrounding His proclamation of the kingdom.
This is especially noteworthy because Luke specifically names several of these women rather than simply saying that unidentified people helped Jesus.
Their names mattered.
Mary Magdalene.
Joanna.
Susanna.
And then Luke adds:
“and many others…”
There were even more faithful women whose individual names are not preserved in this passage.
“And Many Others”
Susanna was not alone.
Luke says:
“and many others…”
This indicates that a substantial group of women participated in supporting Jesus' ministry.
Some were named.
Many were not.
Yet all of their service mattered.
This should encourage anyone whose work for God seems unnoticed.
You may be one of the “many others.”
Your name may never appear on a program.
People may never know what you gave.
They may never know how much you prayed.
They may never see the sacrifice behind your service.
But God knows.
Personal Application
Susanna challenges us to ask:
What has God placed in my hands that can be used for His purposes?
Susanna used her substance.
Perhaps God has given you financial resources.
Perhaps He has given you time.
Perhaps you have a home that can be used for hospitality.
Perhaps you have administrative ability.
Perhaps you can prepare meals, encourage others, teach, pray, give, organize, or quietly help someone fulfill the work God has called them to do.
Do not underestimate practical service.
And do not believe that ministry only counts when people can see you doing it.
Susanna has no recorded sermon.
Yet her name has been read for generations because she ministered unto Jesus of her substance.
There is also a lesson in stewardship.
Everything we possess ultimately comes from God. When we understand this, the question changes from:
“How much of what I have must I give to God?”
to:
“Lord, how do You want me to use what You have entrusted to me?”
Susanna answered that question through her actions.
She followed Jesus.
She supported His work.
She used what she possessed to serve Him.
Her story is only one verse long, but its message remains powerful:
You do not have to be famous to be faithful.
Serve Christ with what is in your hands.