Luke 8:1-15
Women Who Supported Jesus
Read the passage
1Soon afterward, Jesus traveled from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,
2as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
3Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means.
4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, He told them this parable:
5“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it.
6Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture.
7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings.
8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprang up and produced a crop—a hundredfold.” As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
9Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant.
10He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’
11Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
12The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
13The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
14The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
15But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus travels through towns and villages proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom. The Twelve travel with him, along with women who have been healed of evil spirits and diseases. Luke names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna among those using their own resources to support the work. People who have received his help now help sustain the ministry to others.
As crowds gather, Jesus tells of a farmer scattering seed. Some falls on a path and is eaten by birds. Some sprouts on rock but withers without moisture. Thorns choke other seedlings. Good soil, however, produces a crop a hundred times what was sown.
The disciples ask what it means. Jesus tells them that knowledge of God's kingdom has been given to them, then explains the seed: it is God's word. The devil takes it from some hearts before they believe. Others receive it joyfully but fall away when tested. Still others hear, but worries, riches, and pleasures keep the fruit from maturing. Those pictured by good soil hear the word, cling to it, and persevere.
The difference is not that one group hears a better message. All hear the same word. A joyful beginning can fade, and ordinary concerns can gradually crowd out what seemed important. Jesus calls for hearing that lasts through pressure and produces fruit over time.
Questions
1 Who travels with Jesus and the twelve?
AnswerWomen who have been healed, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, travel with them and support the ministry from their resources.
2 What is the seed in the parable?
AnswerThe seed is the word of God, scattered among people who respond to it in different ways.
3 What chokes some hearers?
AnswerThe cares, riches, and pleasures of life choke the word so that it does not mature and bear fruit.
4 How does good soil bear fruit?
AnswerIt holds the word fast in an honest and good heart and bears fruit with patience. Hearing must continue into endurance.
What This Means for Us
Mary, Joanna, Susanna, and the other women respond to Jesus' help with practical generosity. We can notice the often quiet work that makes ministry possible and share in it with what we have.
The parable also asks what happens after we close the Bible. Which command are we still practicing when it becomes difficult? Is a worry or a pleasure taking over the time and attention we meant to give it? Bring that particular struggle to God rather than being satisfied that we listened once.
Prayer
God of the kingdom, thank You for every person who supports Your work with courage and generosity. Give our household honest hearts, patience under pressure, and lives that bear fruit from hearing Your word. Amen.