Joanna

Etymology

The feminine form of John (Yochanan), from 'Yah' (God) and 'chanan' (to be gracious). Joanna means the same as John — God is gracious — in a feminine form.

Who they were

Joanna occupies a fascinating position — she was the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod Antipas' household, which placed her in the highest circles of Galilean political society. Yet she used her wealth and connections to support Jesus' itinerant ministry. Luke 8:3 says she was among the women who 'were helping to support them out of their own means.' This was not small generosity — it was funding a movement that the political establishment viewed with suspicion, while being married to one of Herod's senior officials. She had been healed by Jesus of an evil spirit or illness, and her response was not quiet gratitude but active, costly discipleship. More significantly, Luke names Joanna as one of the women who went to the tomb on Easter morning and found it empty. She was among those who 'told these things to the apostles,' though the apostles initially dismissed their testimony as nonsense. Joanna is the disciple from the palace — evidence that Jesus' followers were not exclusively poor or marginal. She risked her social position, her husband's career, and possibly her safety to follow and fund a controversial rabbi.

Family

Spouse

Chuza (manager of Herod's household)

Character qualities

• Financial generosity at personal risk
• Courage to cross social boundaries
• Faithfulness to the empty tomb
• Willingness to be dismissed

Key verse

Luke 24:10

Where they appear

Themes

Variants & related forms

Joanne · Joan · Jo · Johanna · Giovanna · Juana

Related names