Joanna and Susanna

"Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources." (Luke 8:1-3)

Joanna

“The second woman mentioned in Luke 8:3 is Joanna. There is no reference to her in the other two synoptic accounts of in John. Luke instead, mentions her both here and latter I 24:10, where her name again appears immediately after that of Mary of Magdala. Johanna is the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward. She therefore comes from a situation of social privilege. But how is that, being married, she belongs to a group of itinerant disciples following Jesus? Luke doesn’t explain. Was she perhaps a widow? If that were the case, it is curious that Luke did not say so, since he showed consistent admiration for Christian widows. The text also seems to rule out the idea that Johanna had been abandoned by her husband, since she is presented as his “wife.” Joanna’s situation, than, appears all the more complex. Was Chuza in agreement with her choice of following Jesus? And if not, did she have to put up with hostility and the loss of her husband’s affection?”

Elena Bosetti. Luke. Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2006. p. 81

Susanna

“The third woman mentioned in Luke 8:3 is Susanna, of whom we know nothing other than her name. However, it is enough to conclude that a concrete group of women traveled with Jesus and the other disciples, and their names were still remembered by the early Christian community at the time of the Gospel of Luke was written. The same good fortune was not had by the woman who, on the eve of the passion, anointed Jesus’ head with expensive perfume worth 300 denarii (see Mk 14:3-9). These women had the courage to live outside of traditional values; the strength to face and overcome difficulties and privations inherent in following Jesus and his untiring itinerary.”

Elena Bosetti. Luke. Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2006. p. 81-82

Women at the Service of the Gospel, General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI, 02/14/07