Who was Joanna, and why does she play such a central role in Luke's final chapter? Curiously, this in-depth investagation leads us to challenge our assumptions about Theophilus, and even Luke himself.
Thank you for your efforts in the research this article required. Contrary to some in the church today, prophecy is not fortune telling. Prophesy in this age anno Domini is excavating God's sword deeply for the intended meaning of the writers and revealing to the world today.
Question: Since Theophilus means "friend of God" and may or may not have been a person's name, I have wondered if the intended recipient of Luke's Gospel and Acts, might have actually been Chuza. What are your thoughts about that?
That's an interesting theory. As epitropos, Chuza would certainly qualify as "most Excellent (kratistos), and it's clearly plausible to suggest that he may have required a certain level of "anonymity." However, I'll present additional evidence that may shed light on the identity of Theophilus in my next installment.
Thank you, I'll be looking forward to it. I shared this post in Notes. I hope one day you might find time to give my site the once over and offer some tips. I'm trying to give my best writing for the Lord, but so far readers have been hard to come by.
It is significant that the wife of a high official of Herod’s court traveled with Jesus and his followers. She was unchaperoned among unmarried men. In that place, time, and culture, her husband could have stopped this if he wanted. But he didn’t. Joanna no doubt witnessed Jesus’ miracles and may have received one. She probably told her husband who probably told Herod of these events. They were both likely impressed. Herod may have hoped to harness Jesus’ ability to work miracles for his own use. When Jesus was examined by Herod near the end of his life, Herod seemed to just want Jesus to show him a miracle. Then he would save him from the cross, but perhaps after a promise to serve Herod. Jesus showed him nothing and we know the rest. I think it is very likely that Joanna, and perhaps her husband, were among Luke’s sources.
Very good insights. I'll go into this a little in the next installment, but if you'd like to read more on this, Richard Bauckam has an excellent chapter devoted to Joanna in his book Gospel Women.
The identification of Theophilus and his connection with Joanna is a new one for me. Thanks.
Thanks for the reply and the tip.
Thank you for your efforts in the research this article required. Contrary to some in the church today, prophecy is not fortune telling. Prophesy in this age anno Domini is excavating God's sword deeply for the intended meaning of the writers and revealing to the world today.
Question: Since Theophilus means "friend of God" and may or may not have been a person's name, I have wondered if the intended recipient of Luke's Gospel and Acts, might have actually been Chuza. What are your thoughts about that?
That's an interesting theory. As epitropos, Chuza would certainly qualify as "most Excellent (kratistos), and it's clearly plausible to suggest that he may have required a certain level of "anonymity." However, I'll present additional evidence that may shed light on the identity of Theophilus in my next installment.
Thank you, I'll be looking forward to it. I shared this post in Notes. I hope one day you might find time to give my site the once over and offer some tips. I'm trying to give my best writing for the Lord, but so far readers have been hard to come by.
It is significant that the wife of a high official of Herod’s court traveled with Jesus and his followers. She was unchaperoned among unmarried men. In that place, time, and culture, her husband could have stopped this if he wanted. But he didn’t. Joanna no doubt witnessed Jesus’ miracles and may have received one. She probably told her husband who probably told Herod of these events. They were both likely impressed. Herod may have hoped to harness Jesus’ ability to work miracles for his own use. When Jesus was examined by Herod near the end of his life, Herod seemed to just want Jesus to show him a miracle. Then he would save him from the cross, but perhaps after a promise to serve Herod. Jesus showed him nothing and we know the rest. I think it is very likely that Joanna, and perhaps her husband, were among Luke’s sources.
Very good insights. I'll go into this a little in the next installment, but if you'd like to read more on this, Richard Bauckam has an excellent chapter devoted to Joanna in his book Gospel Women.