It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things to the apostles.
Luke 8:2,3 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, …
Mark 15:40,41 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; …
Mark 16:9-11 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils…
Joanna
Joanna is mentioned in Luke 8:3 as the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward. Her presence among the women who followed Jesus indicates the diverse backgrounds of His followers, including those from influential social standings. Joanna's involvement in Jesus' ministry and her witness to the resurrection demonstrate the reach of Jesus' message across different societal levels.
Mary the mother of James
This Mary is often identified as the mother of James the Less, one of the twelve apostles. Her mention here, alongside other women, highlights the important role women played in Jesus' ministry and the early church. The identification of her son connects her to the apostolic circle, emphasizing the familial and communal nature of the early Christian movement.
and the other women with them
The phrase acknowledges the presence of additional women who were part of Jesus' followers. This group of women, who supported Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:1-3), were the first to witness the empty tomb, signifying their crucial role in the resurrection narrative. Their inclusion challenges cultural norms of the time, where women's testimonies were often undervalued.
who told this to the apostles
The women were the first to proclaim the resurrection to the apostles, a significant detail given the cultural context where women were not considered reliable witnesses. This underscores the authenticity of the Gospel accounts, as such a detail would be counterproductive if fabricated. The apostles' initial skepticism (Luke 24:11) further highlights the unexpected nature of the resurrection and the radical shift it brought to their understanding of Jesus' mission.
• Scripture consistently highlights Mary Magdalene as the foremost witness of the empty tomb. “After Jesus had risen early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene” (Mark 16:9).
• Luke 24:10 underscores her reliability by naming her first, reinforcing earlier accounts (Luke 8:2; John 20:1–18).
• God chose her—a woman once bound by seven demons—to be the first herald of resurrection life, demonstrating grace’s power to redeem and entrust (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• Joanna, “the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward,” had already been supporting Jesus “out of their own means” (Luke 8:3).
• Her presence shows that the gospel reached into every social level, even the household of Herod Antipas (Philippians 4:22).
• By highlighting Joanna again in Luke 24:10, Scripture confirms that faithful service in life naturally flows into faithful witness in resurrection hope.
• Also called “the mother of James and Joses” (Mark 15:40), she stood near the cross and now stands near the empty tomb (Mark 16:1).
• Her inclusion reminds us that ordinary, often-hidden discipleship matters; mothers and families who followed Jesus in Galilee are honored in His greatest victory (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
• The detail lends historical credibility—specific names anchor the narrative in real people and real events.
• Luke widens the circle to include unnamed but indispensable followers (Luke 24:1; Matthew 28:1).
• This plural witness fulfills the principle of “two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1).
• Their unity testifies that resurrection joy is meant to be shared in community (Romans 12:15).
• The women move from discovery to proclamation: “Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest” (Luke 24:9).
• Though their message was initially “nonsense” to the apostles (Luke 24:11), God used it to prepare the men for Jesus’ appearance (Mark 16:11-14).
• The pattern is clear—those who encounter the risen Lord are commissioned to speak (Acts 1:8). These women model obedience and courage, blazing a trail every believer can follow.
Luke 24:10 spotlights named and unnamed women who personally experienced the empty tomb and immediately bore witness to the apostles. Each name adds historical weight, underscores God’s gracious choice of diverse servants, and demonstrates that firsthand encounter with the risen Christ naturally overflows into proclamation. The verse invites us to trust the reliability of these witnesses and to join them in declaring, “He is risen indeed!”
(10) Mary Magdalene, and Joanna.--St. Luke alone names the latter in the Resurrection history, as he alone had named her before, as following our Lord in Galilee (Luke 7:2). It is not an unreasonable inference from this that she was probably his chief informant.