The Steward of Herod’s Household
Chuza was a high-ranking official who served as the steward (or chief administrator) of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch who ruled Galilee and Perea and who was responsible for the beheading of John the Baptist and the mockery of Jesus Christ. Chuza’s significance lies not in his own actions, but through his wife, Joanna, who became one of the key financial supporters of Jesus’ ministry.
The Office and the Influence
A steward, in this context, was the manager of the entire royal household and its finances. Chuza would have been a man of considerable wealth, authority, and influence within Herod’s court, likely managing the domestic affairs of the tetrarch’s palace in Tiberias or Sepphoris.
His wife, Joanna, is mentioned specifically in the Gospel of Luke:
“And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” (Luke 8:2-3, KJV)
A House Divided for the Kingdom
The fact that Joanna was dedicated to following and financially supporting Jesus while her husband, Chuza, served in the court of the man who imprisoned and murdered John the Baptist is a profound testament to the power of conversion and a literal illustration of a house divided between the worldly kingdom (Herod’s) and the Kingdom of God.
- Joanna’s Dedication: She was part of a group of women who personally accompanied Christ and the twelve apostles on their circuits. She was not a passive follower; she actively “ministered unto him of their substance,” meaning she used her resources (derived from Chuza’s high office) to fund the Lord’s mission.
- The Unseen Conversion: While Chuza’s conversion is not explicitly stated, his position suggests he at least permitted his wife’s activities and access to their wealth, placing a subtle, believing presence right in the heart of Herod’s administration.
Connection to the Resurrection
Joanna’s faithfulness extended through the crucifixion and beyond. She is identified as one of the women who went to the tomb on the morning of the resurrection:
“It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.” (Luke 24:10, KJV)
Joanna was one of the first people to receive the message of Christ’s resurrection and was commanded to deliver that glorious news to the apostles.
Chuza’s Prophetic and Spiritual Significance
Chuza, through his wife Joanna, provides an important lesson regarding the penetration of the Gospel into centers of worldly power:
- Providential Funding: God can providentially arrange for the funding of His Kingdom work to come even from the households of those who serve worldly or hostile rulers. The wealth of the palace was deployed for the purposes of the King of Kings.
- A Remnant in High Places: The family illustrates that even in the most corrupt environments (Herod’s court, known for political intrigue and moral license), God preserves a remnant of believers. This shows that the seed of truth can take root anywhere, a crucial encouragement for believers facing the final, global apostasy.
Chuza and Joanna stand as a powerful New Testament example of faithful resources being dedicated to the Lord’s service, directly opposing the spirit of covetousness that fuels the worldly systems of power.