Who was Chuza in the Bible?

Chuza was the steward, or household manager, of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. He is only mentioned as the husband of Joanna, a woman who traveled with Jesus and supported his ministry financially (Luke 8:3).

Why is Chuza's wife, Joanna, significant?

Joanna is significant because she was one of the women who provided for Jesus and the disciples out of their own means. She was also a witness to the empty tomb and helped spread the news of Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24:10).

What does the Bible say about Chuza's life?

The Bible provides no direct events from Chuza's life. His significance comes entirely from his relationship to Joanna, indicating his high social position in Herod's court and his indirect connection to Jesus' ministry through his wife's support.

Chuza

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Chuza, Herod's steward, was the husband of Joanna, who supported Jesus' ministry. (Luk.8.3)

Chuza

Biography

Chuza is identified in Luke 8:3 as the household steward (epitropos) of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. His position was one of considerable administrative responsibility, essentially managing the finances and domestic affairs of the royal court. Chuza's significance in Scripture derives from his wife Joanna, who is listed among the women who followed Jesus, accompanied the disciples, and provided material support for Jesus' ministry out of their own resources (Luke 8:2-3). Joanna is also named among the women who discovered the empty tomb on Easter morning (Luke 24:10). The fact that a senior official of Herod's court had a wife devoted to Jesus suggests the gospel was penetrating even the highest levels of Galilean society during Jesus' ministry.

Significance

Chuza's household represents a remarkable intersection of political power and gospel witness. As Herod Antipas was simultaneously receiving reports about Jesus and ordering the execution of John the Baptist, one of his own top administrators had a wife walking with Jesus on the road. This irony underscores the sovereign reach of the kingdom of God, which no political boundary or royal court could contain. Through Joanna, Chuza's household contributed materially to sustaining Jesus' itinerant ministry, illustrating that God's redemptive work is often advanced through unexpected channels, including the households of those who wield earthly power.

Verse Appearances (1)

Luke

Luke 8:3

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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