The Book of Luke Women in the Ministry of Jesus

Lesson #6 for May 9, 2015

Scriptures: [Luke 1:39-55; 2:36-37; 7:11-17,36-50; 8:1-3; 18:1-8; Romans 10:17][i].

1.    The Gospel of Luke is famous-or, depending on your point of view, perhaps infamous-for being the Gospel of women. Many early Christians rejected Luke’s Gospel for that very reason. We can rejoice that Jesus rose above the cultural norms of His day to involve so many women whose needs He met and to whose love He responded.

2.    It is a well-known fact that in the cultures of Jesus’s day, including the Greek and Roman cultures, the status of women was very low. They were little more than property. They were to be used and/or abused by men, more or less at will. They had few legal rights and were often nothing more than sex slaves. Considering that background, is it any wonder that women were attracted to Jesus? Jesus called them daughters of Abraham. (Luke 13:16ii)

3.    Even from before His birth, the story of Jesus was tied to the stories of some remarkable women. Read Luke 1:39-45iii, the testimony of Elizabeth. Also read Luke 1:46-55iv, the Magnificat or Song of Mary, much of it taken from the Old Testament. But, they were not the only ones. Read Luke 2:36-38[v], the brief mention of Anna at the temple in Jerusalem. While they almost certainly still held to the hope that many of the Jews had that Jesus would release them from the Roman yoke, all three of these women recognized that Baby as being a very special Baby, perhaps even the Messiah. Anna specifically mentioned that she believed this Baby would bring salvation to the Jews. What message do you think Anna gave “to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free”? (Luke 2:38) Did she speak even to Pharisees and Sadducees? If so, how did they receive her message?

4.    Read Luke 7:11-17vi. Between Nazareth and Capernaum, there was a small village called Nain. It lay on a high tableland overlooking the valley. As Jesus led His disciples and many other followers up the hill toward Nain, they were met by a funeral procession carrying an open bier holding the body of a dead young man, the only son of a widow. Try to imagine that scene in your mind. Jesus went over to the procession which then stopped. He turned to the mother and said, “Don’t cry!” Then He reached out to the dead body and said: “Young man! Get up, I tell you!” (Luke 7:14, GNB) When the young man started to move, did the men carrying the bier freak out? Imagine the astonishment of all present as the young man opened his eyes. Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up, and then restored him to his mother. (For more details see The Desire of Ages 318.1-5vii.)

5.    Do you think that was just an accidental meeting? Or, did Jesus specifically go that direction at that time because He knew that funeral train would be there?

6.    Read Luke 8:41-42,49-56viii. Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue. Every week, it was his job to choose the person who was to lead out in the synagogue service, praying, reading Scripture, and preaching. On occasion, he may even have chosen Jesus to do those things. But, because of the influence of the scribes and Pharisees, he probably was reluctant to be seen with or associate with Jesus. But, as his daughter was dying, he knew of only one place to go. He sought out Jesus who said to him, “Don’t worry, I will come to your house.” While they were still on the way, Jairus received a message that his daughter had already died. In His usual manner, Jesus said: “Don’t be afraid; only believe, and she will be well.” (Luke 8:50, GNB) Jesus proceeded to the home of Jairus. There, in the presence of a small company of her parents and His three disciples, Peter, James, and John, He resurrected the young girl and instructed the parents to give her something to eat. Every detail of our lives is important to God. The people outside who were mourning had laughed at Jesus when He said that she was only sleeping. What do you think they had to say when the news reached them that the child was alive?

7.    Read Luke 8:43-48ix. While Jesus was making His way to Jairus’s home to heal his daughter, a woman who for 12 years had been ill with bleeding managed to get close enough to Jesus to touch the hem of His garment. To everyone’s surprise-except Jesus-He suddenly stopped and asked, “Who touched me?” Even Peter in the midst of that bustling crowd wondered how He could ask a question like that! But, Jesus did not want this woman to go away unnoticed. After identifying her, He said, “Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 8:48, GNB) That woman had tried for many years to get help; but, no one was able to help her. Then she heard about Jesus and determined to get to Him if at all possible. (See The Desire of Ages 343-347[x].)

8.    Think of all the people who touched Jesus in one way or another that day. Only one of them received His healing power. If you had asked the people in that crowd what they thought of that woman, they would probably have had nothing but disgust and repulsion for her. According to Levitical law, she was considered unclean, and she was supposed to keep herself separate from other people. But, Jesus recognized her as a daughter of Abraham, a seeker for the truth.

9.    Read Luke 7:36-50xi. This is an incredible story which happened to the famous family of a leading Pharisee and Jesus. With the help of Ellen White, we can put together a very incredible picture.

Simon had led into sin the woman he now despised. She had been deeply wronged by him. . . . But Simon felt himself more righteous than Mary, and Jesus desired him to see how great his guilt really was. He would show him that his sin was greater than hers, as much greater as a debt of five hundred pence exceeds a debt of fifty pence.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages 566.5.

Those present, thinking of Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead by Christ, and who was at this time a guest in his uncle’s house, [240] began to question, saying, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” But Christ continued, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”—Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, May 9, 1900 par. 15; Daughters of God 239.4. [Bold type is added.]

10.    Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were brother and sisters. (John 11) Thus, all were related to Simon who had led Mary into sin. Mary’s life of sin probably began with that incest. And that led her all the way to demon possession. (See DA 568; Luke 8:1-3.)xii

When to human eyes her case appeared hopeless, Christ saw in Mary capabilities for good. He saw the better traits of her character. The plan of redemption has invested humanity with great possibilities, and in Mary these possibilities were to be realized. Through His grace she became a partaker of the divine nature. The one who had fallen, and whose mind had been a habitation of demons, was brought very near to the Saviour in fellowship and ministry. It was Mary who sat at His feet and learned of Him. It was Mary who poured upon His head the precious anointing oil, and bathed His feet with her tears. Mary stood beside the cross, and followed Him to the sepulcher. Mary was first at the tomb after His resurrection. It was Mary who first proclaimed a risen Saviour.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 568.2.

11.    Read Luke 10:38-42xiii. To many people, this is a troubling story. Many women, especially, feel a burden to adequately prepare for guests who come to their home. Martha was very concerned. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were relatives of Simon and probably belonged to a family of Pharisees. Mary was the black sheep of the family, having left home, become a prostitute, and even finally being demon-possessed before Jesus cast out seven demons from her life. Now that the Master was in their home, Martha felt a great need to show her respect for the One who had done so much for her family. But, Mary realized that the presence of Jesus was too precious to be wasted on ordinary matters, and she sat at the feet of Jesus.

The cause of Christ needs careful, energetic workers. There is a wide field for the Marthas, with their zeal in active religious work. But let them first sit with Mary at the feet of Jesus. Let diligence, promptness, and energy be sanctified by the grace of Christ; then the life will be an unconquerable power for good.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 525.2.

12. But there is a deeper meaning to this short story which follows right after the story of the “good Samaritan.”

If you thought “the good Samaritan” was radical, this powerful little story suggests that Luke has plenty more where that came from. In describing Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, he has chosen this incident as part of his introduction. It took place at Bethany, as we know from other accounts of these sisters, and Bethany was not far from Jerusalem—near, in fact, the top of the road described in the parable we’ve just studied. The incident can’t, therefore, have taken place at this point in the story, but Luke has placed it here to alert us to something special about Jesus’ work. Not only was he redrawing the boundaries of God’s people, sending out a clear message about how the gospel would reach to those outside the traditional borders.

He was redrawing the boundaries between men and women within Israel, blurring lines which had been clearly laid down.

The real problem between Martha and Mary wasn’t the workload that Martha had in the kitchen. That, no doubt, was real enough, but it wasn’t the main thing that was upsetting Martha. Nor was it (as some have suggested) that both the sisters were romantically attracted to Jesus and Martha was jealous of Mary’s adoring posture, sitting at Jesus’ feet. If there was any such feeling,

Luke neither says nor hints anything about it. No: the real problem was that Mary was behaving as if she were a man. In that culture, as in many parts of the world to this day, houses were divided into male “space” and female “space”, and male and female roles were strictly demarcated as well. Mary had crossed an invisible but very important boundary within the house, and another equally important boundary within the social world.

The public room was where the men would meet; the kitchen, and other quarters unseen by outsiders, belonged to the women. Only outside, where little children would play, and in the married bedroom, would male and female mix. For a woman to settle down comfortably among the men was bordering on the scandalous. Who did she think she was? Only a shameless woman would behave in such a way. She should go back into the women’s quarters where she belonged. This wasn’t principally a matter of superiority and inferiority, though no doubt it was often perceived and articulated like that. It was a matter of what was thought of as the appropriate division between the two halves of humanity.

In the same way, to sit at the feet of a teacher was a decidedly male role.

“Sitting at someone’s feet” doesn’t mean (as it might sound to us) a devoted,

dog-like adoring posture, as though the teacher were a rock star or a sports idol. When Saul of Tarsus “sat at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3), he wasn’t gazing up adoringly and thinking how wonderful the great rabbi was; he was listening and learning, focusing on the teaching of his master and putting it together in his mind. To sit at someone’s feet meant, quite simply, to be their student. And to sit at the feet of a rabbi was what you did if you wanted to be a rabbi yourself. There is no thought here of learning for learning’s sake.

Mary has quietly taken her place as a would-be teacher and preacher of the kingdom of God. [Remember Luke 8:1-3.]

Jesus affirms her right to do so. This has little to do with the women’s movements in the modern West. They do have some parallels with Jesus’ agenda, and the two can make common cause on several issues; but they should not be confused. Jesus’ valuation of each human being is based not on abstract egalitarian ideals, but on the overflowing love of God, which, like a great river breaking its banks into a parched countryside, irrigates those parts of human society which until now had remained barren and unfruitful.

Mary stands for all those women who, when they hear Jesus speaking about the kingdom, know that God is calling them to listen carefully so that they can speak of it too.

We would be wrong, then, to see Martha and Mary, as they have so often been seen, as models of the “active” and the “contemplative” styles of spirituality. Action and contemplation are of course both important. Without the first you wouldn’t eat, without the second you wouldn’t worship. And no doubt some people are called to one kind of balance between them, and others to another. But we cannot escape the challenge of this passage by turning it into a comment about different types of Christian lifestyle. It is about the boundary-breaking call of Jesus. As he goes up to Jerusalem, he leaves behind him towns, villages, households and individuals who have glimpsed a new vision of the kingdom, and for whom life will never be the same again. God grant that as we read his story the same will be true for us.—Wright, N. T. (2004). Luke for Everyone (pp. 129130). London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. [Content in brackets and bold type are added.]

13.    Read Luke 18:1-8xiv. What are we supposed to learn from that parable? Almost certainly, it was a true story that was known by people in the crowd. It should teach us at least the following three things: (1) We should never become discouraged about praying for the needs that we see. (Luke 18:1) (2) Prayer can change even the heart of an evil judge. (3) Victorious faith is persistent faith. (Christ’s Object Lessons 165)

14.    Read [Luke 21:1-4; Mark 12:41-44; and The Desire of Ages 614-616]xv. In contrast to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were making a great show of giving their large donations at the temple, that poor widow was standing nearby, quietly hoping for an opportunity to cast in her two small coins when no one was looking. She did not realize that Jesus with divine insight was watching her. The Pharisees and Sadducees would have despised this woman; and when they counted the offering, they may even have thrown out her two mites as not being worth the trouble to deal with. But, Jesus recognized the motive behind this woman’s gift. It was a much more appreciated gift in God’s eyes than the large sums of money given by the Pharisees and Sadducees from their abundance of wealth. The Pharisees and Sadducees were there to show off. She was there to give her all. And that woman’s influence through this story has had a greater impact on the work of God down through the generations than what all the others put together gave. If there was anyone who could have rightly refused to give because of how the money would be used, it was that woman. Refusing to give our tithes and offerings because we do not like what some person or group in the church is doing is absolutely forbidden by this story.

15.    Read Luke 23:55-24:12xvi. Why do you think it was that women were the last at the tomb Friday night and the first there on Sunday morning? Where were the disciples during that time? Mostly, they were hiding behind locked doors in the upper room! There are several possible explanations for these facts. Because women were despised but, nevertheless, were expected to carry out certain societal duties even for the dead, there was less fear of the Romans on the part of Mary and the other women in approaching the grave. They would probably not have been bothered by the Roman guard at all. On the other hand, the disciples may have been arrested if they had attempted to go to the tomb.

16.    All of that having been said, those women were so committed to the Jesus whom they had followed all the way from Galilee that they were willing to take their lives in their hands to do what they thought was going to be their last opportunity to honor the body of Jesus. At great expense they prepared what was needed for an honorable burial.

17.    What was Jesus’s overall attitude toward women? Did He believe they had a place in the spreading of the gospel?

He who gave back to the widow her only son, as he was being carried to the burial, is touched today by the woe of the bereaved mother. He who gave back to Mary and Martha their buried brother, who wept tears of sympathy at the grave of Lazarus, who pardoned Mary Magdalene, who remembered his mother, when he was hanging in agony upon the cross, who appeared to the weeping women after his resurrection, and made them his messengers to preach a risen Saviour saying, “Go tell my disciples that I go to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God,” is woman’s best friend today, and ready to aid her in her need if she will trust him.—Ellen G. White, Health Reformer, August 1, 1877 par. 16; ST, November 29, 1877 par. 16; BEcho, September 1, 1893 par. 2; The Adventist Home, p. 204.2; RC 170.5; WM 156.1.

The Lord has a work for women as well as for men. They may take their places in His work at this crisis, and He will work through them. If they are imbued with a sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Holy Spirit, they will have just the self-possession required for this time. The Saviour will reflect upon these self-sacrificing women the light of His countenance, and will give them a power that exceeds that of men. They can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner life.

They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor is needed.—Ellen G. White, 6T 117.4 (1901); RH, Aug. 26, 1902 par 5; 9T 128.3; Ev 464.2-465.0; Mar 104.3; OFC 321.6.

18.    Read Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-56; 24:1-12xvii. Through the eyes of Luke and despite the bias of most of the biblical writers, we can begin to see a picture unfolding of the importance of women in the early church. Women played key roles in many aspects of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. They followed Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem. Is it any wonder that women were attracted to Jesus considering how they were treated by Jesus in contrast to how they were treated by most other men? Jesus attracted not only people like Mary the formerly demon-possessed prostitute, but also women of high society such as Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager. Susanna was also probably a prominent woman. And many other women provided for Him and His disciples.

19.    What would we think of a pastor today who traveled around with numerous women including wives of wealthy society members and even a former demon-possessed prostitute?

20.    Aren’t you glad that God is the One who judges us rather than any human being? Would any of us have been able to see the value in a woman like Mary?

21.    The God Who created man and woman as being equal in the beginning (Genesis 1:26-27xviii) and Who teaches us that all are equal in the eyes of God when it comes to salvation, (John 3:16; Galatians 3:28)xix should lead us to deal with both genders as equals.

22.    The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the seminal event in the history of Christianity. Many who try to reject the miraculous nature of everything that Jesus did also reject the idea that He could have risen from the dead. But, if the story was a made-up story-as they claim-no writer in those days whether Jew or Gentile would have given women the primary role in reporting that event. Such an idea would not even have occurred to them.

23.    As we have seen in this lesson, women had a great deal to do with the birth and the later ministry of Jesus Christ. (Luke 2:36-38; 8:1-3; 10:38-42)xx While their names are, by and large, not mentioned, they were there apparently at every step along the way. Mary, the former prostitute and demon-possessed woman, was the one given the privilege of first announcing the good news of His resurrection. And she was sent to “evangelize,” that is, to take the “good news,” to the “General Conference” committee of her day, i.e., the disciples of Jesus. Jesus clearly treated men and women equally. He refused to consider women as the “opposite” sex or the inferior sex!

24.    In light of what we have studied in this lesson, is it clear to you that Luke showed great respect for the roles of those women in the story of Jesus? From the time of His annunciation until He ascended back to heaven, women were there at almost every step.

25.    Fortunately for us, having finally learned this lesson after Jesus returned to heaven, Paul told us clearly in Galatians 3:28, GNB: “So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.”

26.    As a Christian church in the 21st century, how can we best follow the example of Jesus in our relationship with and use of women? If Jesus were alive today, what role would He assign to women? Can you think of any higher responsibility than to be the one who carried the very first message about the resurrection? Who would not want to have had that privilege?

27.    In this lesson, we have seen the self-sufficient righteousness of the Pharisees and scribes contrasted with the humble faith of the woman who was suffering and thought that if she could only touch the edge of Jesus’s garment that she would be healed. The Pharisees were looking for opportunities to arrest Jesus while the thankful Mary poured expensive perfume over His feet and dried them with her hair.

28.    The raising of Jairus’s daughter tells us that Jesus had great respect not only for women but also for children, even female children. Are we ready to follow the example of Jesus?

i-Luke 1:Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Soon afterward Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. 40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me? 44 For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. 45 How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!”

Mary's Song of Praise

46 Mary said,

“My heart praises the Lord;

47     my soul is glad because of God my Savior,

48     for he has remembered me, his lowly servant!

From now on all people will call me happy,

49     because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me.

His name is holy;

50     from one generation to another

he shows mercy to those who honor him.

51 He has stretched out his mighty arm

and scattered the proud with all their plans.

52 He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away with empty hands.

54 He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors,

and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

55 He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham

and to all his descendants forever!”

2:36-37 There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old.[a] She never left the Temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying.

7:Jesus Raises a Widow's Son

11 Soon afterward[a] Jesus went to a town named Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd. 12 Just as he arrived at the gate of the town, a funeral procession was coming out. The dead man was the only son of a woman who was a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart was filled with pity for her, and he said to her, “Don't cry.” 14 Then he walked over and touched the coffin, and the men carrying it stopped. Jesus said, “Young man! Get up, I tell you!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They all were filled with fear and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said; “God has come to save his people!”

17 This news about Jesus went out through all the country and the surrounding territory.

Jesus at the Home of Simon the Pharisee

36 A Pharisee invited Jesus to have dinner with him, and Jesus went to his house and sat down to eat. 37 In that town was a woman who lived a sinful life. She heard that Jesus was eating in the Pharisee's house, so she brought an alabaster jar full of perfume 38 and stood behind Jesus, by his feet, crying and wetting his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them, and poured the perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee saw this, he said to himself, “If this man really were a prophet, he would know who this woman is who is touching him; he would know what kind of sinful life she lives!”

40 Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, Teacher,” he said, “tell me.”

41 “There were two men who owed money to a moneylender,” Jesus began. “One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty. 42 Neither of them could pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Which one, then, will love him more?”

43 “I suppose,” answered Simon, “that it would be the one who was forgiven more.”

“You are right,” said Jesus. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your home, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You did not welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since I came. 46 You provided no olive oil for my head, but she has covered my feet with perfume. 47 I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love.”

48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The others sitting at the table began to say to themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”

50 But Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

8:8 Some time later Jesus traveled through towns and villages, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples went with him, 2 and so did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had been driven out; 3 Joanna, whose husband Chuza was an officer in Herod's court; and Susanna, and many other women who used their own resources to help Jesus and his disciples.

18:The Parable of the Widow and the Judge

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged. 2 “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. 3 And there was a widow in that same town who kept coming to him and pleading for her rights, saying, ‘Help me against my opponent!’ 4 For a long time the judge refused to act, but at last he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or respect people, 5 yet because of all the trouble this widow is giving me, I will see to it that she gets her rights. If I don't, she will keep on coming and finally wear me out!’”

6 And the Lord continued, “Listen to what that corrupt judge said. 7 Now, will God not judge in favor of his own people who cry to him day and night for help? Will he be slow to help them? 8 I tell you, he will judge in their favor and do it quickly. But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when he comes?”

Romans 10:17 So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.

ii-Luke 13:16 Now here is this descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years; should she not be released on the Sabbath?”

iii-Luke 1:Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Soon afterward Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. 40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me? 44 For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. 45 How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!”

iv-Luke 1:Mary's Song of Praise

46 Mary said,

“My heart praises the Lord;

47     my soul is glad because of God my Savior,

48     for he has remembered me, his lowly servant!

From now on all people will call me happy,

49     because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me.

His name is holy;

50     from one generation to another

he shows mercy to those who honor him.

51 He has stretched out his mighty arm

and scattered the proud with all their plans.

52 He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away with empty hands.

54 He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors,

and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

55 He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham

and to all his descendants forever!”

v-Luke 2:36-37 There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old.[a] She never left the Temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying. 38 That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.

vi-Luke 7:Jesus Raises a Widow's Son

11 Soon afterward[a] Jesus went to a town named Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd. 12 Just as he arrived at the gate of the town, a funeral procession was coming out. The dead man was the only son of a woman who was a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart was filled with pity for her, and he said to her, “Don't cry.” 14 Then he walked over and touched the coffin, and the men carrying it stopped. Jesus said, “Young man! Get up, I tell you!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They all were filled with fear and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said; “God has come to save his people!”

17 This news about Jesus went out through all the country and the surrounding territory.

vii-The Desire of Ages 318.1-5

More than twenty miles from Capernaum, on a tableland overlooking the wide, beautiful plain of Esdraelon, lay the village of Nain, and thither Jesus next bent His steps. Many of His disciples and others were with Him, and all along the way the people came, longing for His words of love and pity, bringing their sick for His healing, and ever with the hope that He who wielded such wondrous power would make Himself known as the King of Israel. A multitude thronged His steps, and it was a glad, expectant company that followed Him up the rocky path toward the gate of the mountain village.{DA 318.1}

As they draw near, a funeral train is seen coming from the gates. With slow, sad steps it is proceeding to the place of burial. On an open bier carried in front is the body of the dead, and about it are the mourners, filling the air with their wailing cries. All the people of the town seem to have gathered to show their respect for the dead and their sympathy with the bereaved.{DA 318.2}

It was a sight to awaken sympathy. The deceased was the only son of his mother, and she a widow. The lonely mourner was following to the grave her sole earthly support and comfort. “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her.” As she moved on blindly, weeping, noting not His presence, He came close beside her, and gently said, “Weep not.” Jesus was about to change her grief to joy, yet He could not forbear this expression of tender sympathy.{DA 318.3}

“He came and touched the bier;” to Him even contact with death could impart no defilement. The bearers stood still, and the lamentations of the mourners ceased. The two companies gathered about the bier, hoping against hope. One was present who had banished disease and vanquished demons; was death also subject to His power?{DA 318.4}

In clear, authoritative voice the words are spoken, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” That voice pierces the ears of the dead. The young man opens his eyes. Jesus takes him by the hand, and lifts him up. His gaze falls upon her who has been weeping beside him, and mother and son unite in a long, clinging, joyous embrace. The multitude look on in silence, as if spellbound. “There came a fear on all.” Hushed and reverent they stood for a little time, as if in the very presence of God. Then they “glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited His people.” The funeral train returned to Nain as a triumphal procession. “And this rumor of Him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about.” {DA 318.5}

viii-Luke 8:41 Then a man named Jairus arrived; he was an official in the local synagogue. He threw himself down at Jesus' feet and begged him to go to his home, 42 because his only daughter, who was twelve years old, was dying.

As Jesus went along, the people were crowding him from every side.

49 While Jesus was saying this, a messenger came from the official's house. “Your daughter has died,” he told Jairus; “don't bother the Teacher any longer.”

50 But Jesus heard it and said to Jairus, “Don't be afraid; only believe, and she will be well.”

51 When he arrived at the house, he would not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. 52 Everyone there was crying and mourning for the child. Jesus said, “Don't cry; the child is not dead—she is only sleeping!”

53 They all made fun of him, because they knew that she was dead. 54 But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Get up, child!” 55 Her life returned, and she got up at once, and Jesus ordered them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astounded, but Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what had happened.

ix-Luke 8:43 Among them was a woman who had suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years; she had spent all she had on doctors,[a] but no one had been able to cure her. 44 She came up in the crowd behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak, and her bleeding stopped at once. 45 Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”

Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, the people are all around you and crowding in on you.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I knew it when power went out of me.” 47 The woman saw that she had been found out, so she came trembling and threw herself at Jesus' feet. There in front of everybody, she told him why she had touched him and how she had been healed at once. 48 Jesus said to her, “My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

x-The Desire of Ages 343-347

Jairus pressed closer to the Saviour, and together they hurried to the ruler’s home. Already the hired mourners and flute players were there, filling the air with their clamor. The presence of the crowd, and the tumult jarred upon the spirit of Jesus. He tried to silence them, saying, “Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.” They were indignant at the words of the Stranger. They had seen the child in the embrace of death, and they laughed Him to scorn. Requiring them all to leave the house, Jesus took with Him the father and mother of the maiden, and the three disciples, Peter, James, and John, and together they entered the chamber of death.{DA 343.1}

Jesus approached the bedside, and, taking the child’s hand in His own, He pronounced softly, in the familiar language of her home, the words, “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.”{DA 343.2}

Instantly a tremor passed through the unconscious form. The pulses of life beat again. The lips unclosed with a smile. The eyes opened widely as if from sleep, and the maiden gazed with wonder on the group beside her. She arose, and her parents clasped her in their arms, and wept for joy.{DA 343.3}

On the way to the ruler’s house, Jesus had met, in the crowd, a poor woman who for twelve years had suffered from a disease that made her life a burden. She had spent all her means upon physicians and remedies, only to be pronounced incurable. But her hopes revived when she heard of the cures that Christ performed. She felt assured that if she could only go to Him she would be healed. In weakness and suffering she came to the seaside where He was teaching, and tried to press through the crowd, but in vain. Again she followed Him from the house of Levi-Matthew, but was still unable to reach Him. She had begun to despair, when, in making His way through the multitude, He came near where she was.{DA 343.4}

The golden opportunity had come. She was in the presence of the Great Physician! But amid the confusion she could not speak to Him, nor catch more than a passing glimpse of His figure. Fearful of losing her one chance of relief, she pressed forward, saying to herself, “If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole.” As He was passing, she reached forward, and succeeded in barely touching the border of His garment. But in that moment she knew that she was healed. In that one touch was concentrated the faith of her life, and instantly her pain and feebleness gave place to the vigor of perfect health.{DA 343.5}

With a grateful heart she then tried to withdraw from the crowd; but suddenly Jesus stopped, and the people halted with Him. He turned, and looking about asked in a voice distinctly heard above the confusion of the multitude, “Who touched Me?” The people answered this query with a look of amazement. Jostled upon all sides, and rudely pressed hither and thither, as He was, it seemed a strange inquiry.{DA 344.1}

Peter, ever ready to speak, said, “Master, the multitude throng Thee and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?” Jesus answered, “Somebody hath touched Me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me.” The Saviour could distinguish the touch of faith from the casual contact of the careless throng. Such trust should not be passed without comment. He would speak to the humble woman words of comfort that would be to her a wellspring of joy,—words that would be a blessing to His followers to the close of time.{DA 344.2}

Looking toward the woman, Jesus insisted on knowing who had touched Him. Finding concealment vain, she came forward tremblingly, and cast herself at His feet. With grateful tears she told the story of her suffering, and how she had found relief. Jesus gently said, “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” He gave no opportunity for superstition to claim healing virtue for the mere act of touching His garments. It was not through the outward contact with Him, but through the faith which took hold on His divine power, that the cure was wrought. {DA 344.3}

The wondering crowd that pressed close about Christ realized no accession of vital power. But when the suffering woman put forth her hand to touch Him, believing that she would be made whole, she felt the healing virtue. So in spiritual things. To talk of religion in a casual way, to pray without soul hunger and living faith, avails nothing. A nominal faith in Christ, which accepts Him merely as the Saviour of the world, can never bring healing to the soul. The faith that is unto salvation is not a mere intellectual assent to the truth. He who waits for entire knowledge before he will exercise faith, cannot receive blessing from God. It is not enough to believe about Christ; we must believe in Him. The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour; which appropriates His merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.{DA 347.1}

After healing the woman, Jesus desired her to acknowledge the blessing she had received. The gifts which the gospel offers are not to be secured by stealth or enjoyed in secret. So the Lord calls upon us for confession of His goodness. “Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.” Isaiah 43:12.{DA 347.2}

Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven’s chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world. We are to acknowledge His grace as made known through the holy men of old; but that which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience. We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine. Every individual has a life distinct from all others, and an experience differing essentially from theirs. God desires that our praise shall ascend to Him, marked by our own individuality. These precious acknowledgments to the praise of the glory of His grace, when supported by a Christ-like life, have an irresistible power that works for the salvation of souls.{DA 347.3

xi-Luke 7:Jesus at the Home of Simon the Pharisee

36 A Pharisee invited Jesus to have dinner with him, and Jesus went to his house and sat down to eat. 37 In that town was a woman who lived a sinful life. She heard that Jesus was eating in the Pharisee's house, so she brought an alabaster jar full of perfume 38 and stood behind Jesus, by his feet, crying and wetting his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them, and poured the perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee saw this, he said to himself, “If this man really were a prophet, he would know who this woman is who is touching him; he would know what kind of sinful life she lives!”

40 Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, Teacher,” he said, “tell me.”

41 “There were two men who owed money to a moneylender,” Jesus began. “One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty. 42 Neither of them could pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Which one, then, will love him more?”

43 “I suppose,” answered Simon, “that it would be the one who was forgiven more.”

“You are right,” said Jesus. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your home, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You did not welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since I came. 46 You provided no olive oil for my head, but she has covered my feet with perfume. 47 I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love.”

48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The others sitting at the table began to say to themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”

50 But Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

xii-DA 568 Mary had been looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew the circumstances that had shaped her life. He might have extinguished every spark of hope in her soul, but He did not. It was He who had lifted her from despair and ruin. Seven times she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind. She had heard His strong cries to the Father in her behalf. She knew how offensive is sin to His unsullied purity, and in His strength she had overcome.{DA 568.1}

When to human eyes her case appeared hopeless, Christ saw in Mary capabilities for good. He saw the better traits of her character. The plan of redemption has invested humanity with great possibilities, and in Mary these possibilities were to be realized. Through His grace she became a partaker of the divine nature. The one who had fallen, and whose mind had been a habitation of demons, was brought very near to the Saviour in fellowship and ministry. It was Mary who sat at His feet and learned of Him. It was Mary who poured upon His head the precious anointing oil, and bathed His feet with her tears. Mary stood beside the cross, and followed Him to the sepulcher. Mary was first at the tomb after His resurrection. It was Mary who first proclaimed a risen Saviour.{DA 568.2}

Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.{DA 568.3}

Christ might commission the angels of heaven to pour out the vials of His wrath on our world, to destroy those who are filled with hatred of God. He might wipe this dark spot from His universe. But He does not do this. He is today standing at the altar of incense, presenting before God the prayers of those who desire His help.{DA 568.4}

The souls that turn to Him for refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing and the strife of tongues. No man or evil angel can impeach these souls. Christ unites them to His own divine-human nature. They stand beside the great Sin Bearer, in the light proceeding from the throne of God. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33, 34.{DA 568.5}

Luke 8:Women Who Accompanied Jesus

8 Some time later Jesus traveled through towns and villages, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples went with him, 2 and so did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had been driven out; 3 Joanna, whose husband Chuza was an officer in Herod's court; and Susanna, and many other women who used their own resources to help Jesus and his disciples.

xiii-Luke 10:Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him in her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. 40 Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!”

41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, 42 but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.”

xiv-Luke 18:The Parable of the Widow and the Judge

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged. 2 “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. 3 And there was a widow in that same town who kept coming to him and pleading for her rights, saying, ‘Help me against my opponent!’ 4 For a long time the judge refused to act, but at last he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or respect people, 5 yet because of all the trouble this widow is giving me, I will see to it that she gets her rights. If I don't, she will keep on coming and finally wear me out!’”

6 And the Lord continued, “Listen to what that corrupt judge said. 7 Now, will God not judge in favor of his own people who cry to him day and night for help? Will he be slow to help them? 8 I tell you, he will judge in their favor and do it quickly. But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when he comes?”

xv-Luke 21:The Widow's Offering

21 Jesus looked around and saw rich people dropping their gifts in the Temple treasury, 2 and he also saw a very poor widow dropping in two little copper coins. 3 He said, “I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others. 4 For the others offered their gifts from what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, gave all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:The Widow's Offering

41 As Jesus sat near the Temple treasury, he watched the people as they dropped in their money. Many rich men dropped in a lot of money; 42 then a poor widow came along and dropped in two little copper coins, worth about a penny. 43 He called his disciples together and said to them, “I tell you that this poor widow put more in the offering box than all the others. 44 For the others put in what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, put in all she had—she gave all she had to live on.”

The Desire of Ages 614-616

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,” said Jesus; “for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” By perverting the Scriptures, the priests and lawyers blinded the minds of those who would otherwise have received a knowledge of Christ’s kingdom, and that inward, divine life which is essential to true holiness.{DA 614.1}

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” The Pharisees had great influence with the people, and of this they took advantage to serve their own interests. They gained the confidence of pious widows, and then represented it as a duty for them to devote their property to religious purposes. Having secured control of their money, the wily schemers used it for their own benefit. To cover their dishonesty, they offered long prayers in public, and made a great show of piety. This hypocrisy Christ declared would bring them the greater damnation. The same rebuke falls upon many in our day who make a high profession of piety. Their lives are stained by selfishness and avarice, yet they throw over it all a garment of seeming purity, and thus for a time deceive their fellow men. But they cannot deceive God. He reads every purpose of the heart, and will judge every man according to his deeds.{DA 614.2}

Christ unsparingly condemned abuses, but He was careful not to lessen obligation. He rebuked the selfishness that extorted and misapplied the widow’s gifts. At the same time He commended the widow who brought her offering for God’s treasury. Man’s abuse of the gift could not turn God’s blessing from the giver.{DA 614.3}

Jesus was in the court where were the treasure chests, and He watched those who came to deposit their gifts. Many of the rich brought large sums, which they presented with great ostentation. Jesus looked upon them sadly, but made no comment on their liberal offerings. Presently His countenance lighted as He saw a poor widow approach hesitatingly, as though fearful of being observed. As the rich and haughty swept by, to deposit their offerings, she shrank back as if hardly daring to venture farther. And yet she longed to do something, little though it might be, for the cause she loved. She looked at the gift in her hand. It was very small in comparison with the gifts of those around her, yet it was her all. Watching her opportunity, she hurriedly threw in her two mites, and turned to hasten away. But in doing this she caught the eye of Jesus, which was fastened earnestly upon her. {DA 614.4}

The Saviour called His disciples to Him, and bade them mark the widow’s poverty. Then His words of commendation fell upon her ear: “Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.” Tears of joy filled her eyes as she felt that her act was understood and appreciated. Many would have advised her to keep her pittance for her own use; given into the hands of the well-fed priests, it would be lost sight of among the many costly gifts brought to the treasury. But Jesus understood her motive. She believed the service of the temple to be of God’s appointment, and she was anxious to do her utmost to sustain it. She did what she could, and her act was to be a monument to her memory through all time, and her joy in eternity. Her heart went with her gift; its value was estimated, not by the worth of the coin, but by the love to God and the interest in His work that had prompted the deed.{DA 615.1}

Jesus said of the poor widow, She “hath cast in more than they all.” The rich had bestowed from their abundance, many of them to be seen and honored by men. Their large donations had deprived them of no comfort, or even luxury; they had required no sacrifice, and could not be compared in value with the widow’s mite.{DA 615.2}

It is the motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth. Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue praises does God account most precious. The little duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless, often stand highest in His sight. A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most costly gift. The poor widow gave her living to do the little that she did. She deprived herself of food in order to give those two mites to the cause she loved. And she did it in faith, believing that her heavenly Father would not overlook her great need. It was this unselfish spirit and childlike faith that won the Saviour’s commendation.{DA 615.3}

Among the poor there are many who long to show their gratitude to God for His grace and truth. They greatly desire to share with their more prosperous brethren in sustaining His service. These souls should not be repulsed. Let them lay up their mites in the bank of heaven. If given from a heart filled with love for God, these seeming trifles become consecrated gifts, priceless offerings, which God smiles upon and blesses.{DA 615.4}

When Jesus said of the widow, She “hath cast in more than they all,” His words were true, not only of the motive, but of the results of her gift. The “two mites which make a farthing” have brought to God’s treasury an amount of money far greater than the contributions of those rich Jews. The influence of that little gift has been like a stream, small in its beginning, but widening and deepening as it flowed down through the ages. In a thousand ways it has contributed to the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel. Her example of self-sacrifice has acted and reacted upon thousands of hearts in every land and in every age. It has appealed to both the rich and the poor, and their offerings have swelled the value of her gift. God’s blessing upon the widow’s mite has made it the source of great results. So with every gift bestowed and every act performed with a sincere desire for God’s glory. It is linked with the purposes of Omnipotence. Its results for good no man can measure.{DA 616.1}

The Saviour continued His denunciations of the scribes and Pharisees: “Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? and, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?” The priests interpreted God’s requirements according to their own false and narrow standard. They presumed to make nice distinctions as to the comparative guilt of various sins, passing over some lightly, and treating others of perhaps less consequence as unpardonable. For a money consideration they excused persons from their vows. And for large sums of money they sometimes passed over aggravated crimes. At the same time these priests and rulers would in other cases pronounce severe judgment for trivial offenses.{DA 616.2}

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” In these words Christ again condemns the abuse of sacred obligation. The obligation itself He does not set aside. The tithing system was ordained by God, and it had been observed from the earliest times. Abraham, the father of the faithful, paid tithes of all that he possessed. The Jewish rulers recognized the obligation of tithing, and this was right; but they did not leave the people to carry out their own convictions of duty. Arbitrary rules were laid down for every case. The requirements had become so complicated that it was impossible for them to be fulfilled. None knew when their obligations were met. As God gave it, the system was just and reasonable; but the priests and rabbis had made it a wearisome burden. {DA 616.3}

xvi-Luke 23:55 The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee went with Joseph and saw the tomb and how Jesus' body was placed in it. 56 Then they went back home and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body.

On the Sabbath they rested, as the Law commanded.

The Resurrection

24 Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, 3 so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them. 5 Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? 6 He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.’”

8 Then the women remembered his words, 9 returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven disciples and all the rest. 10 The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; they and the other women with them told these things to the apostles. 11 But the apostles thought that what the women said was nonsense, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; he bent down and saw the grave cloths but nothing else. Then he went back home amazed at what had happened.[a]

xvii-Luke 8:Women Who Accompanied Jesus

8 Some time later Jesus traveled through towns and villages, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples went with him, 2 and so did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had been driven out; 3 Joanna, whose husband Chuza was an officer in Herod's court; and Susanna, and many other women who used their own resources to help Jesus and his disciples.

23:55 The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee went with Joseph and saw the tomb and how Jesus' body was placed in it. 56 Then they went back home and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body.

On the Sabbath they rested, as the Law commanded.

The Resurrection

24 Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, 3 so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them. 5 Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? 6 He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.’”

8 Then the women remembered his words, 9 returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven disciples and all the rest. 10 The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; they and the other women with them told these things to the apostles. 11 But the apostles thought that what the women said was nonsense, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; he bent down and saw the grave cloths but nothing else. Then he went back home amazed at what had happened.[a]

xviii-Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild,[a] large and small.” 27 So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female,

xix-John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

Galatians 3:28 So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.

xx-Luke 2:36-37 There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old.[a] She never left the Temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying. 38 That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set

8:Women Who Accompanied Jesus

8 Some time later Jesus traveled through towns and villages, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples went with him, 2 and so did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had been driven out; 3 Joanna, whose husband Chuza was an officer in Herod's court; and Susanna, and many other women who used their own resources to help Jesus and his disciples.

10:Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him in her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. 40 Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!”

41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, 42 but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.”

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