La Femme
The role of women in Jesus’ earthly ministry, recorded in the Gospels, was without doubt totally counter-cultural for its time and a significant aspect of the Lord's teachings.
Society back in 1st-century Judea was, to say the least, ‘patriarchal’ (men ruled the roost). In stark contrast, the status of women was low in both social and legal status. Their testimony was not considered valid in the courts, and their public roles were likewise limited. But the amazing thing that we find in the gospels is that Jesus consistently defied these norms, by elevating women to positions of dignity, discipleship, and witness!
We read that Jesus had many women followers who travelled with him and the Twelve disciples, and supported his ministry both spiritually and materially.
Luke explicitly mentions this group in chapter 8:1-3
After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
This reveals to us that women weren’t merely passive observers, but active participants and patrons of his mission!
In addition, we read also that Jesus repeatedly engaged women directly in theological conversation and offered them healing. With these actions Jesus went directly against social norms and broke social taboos!
We read of the Samaritan Woman at the well in John 4. Here Jesus not only speaks with a Samaritan, considered a cultural enemy in public, but He also engaged her in a deep theological discussion about worship and the identity of the Messiah. The direct result of this conversation was that she became one of the first evangelists and witnessed about him bringing her entire town to see him!
John 4:29-30
“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
Don’t forget about Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42):
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
When Martha complained about Mary listening to his teaching instead of helping with domestic duties, Jesus didn’t chase her back into the kitchen, no, he affirmed Mary's choice to learn as a disciple, stating “Mary has chosen what is better”,,, To use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, here Jesus is validating woman's rights to intellectual and spiritual pursuits over stereotypical gender roles!
And let’s not forget the Woman with the Issue of Blood in Matthew 9:20-22 Here Jesus healed a woman who was considered ritually unclean because of her medical condition. But by allowing her to touch Him and publicly commending her faith for doing so, Jesus restored her both physically and socially. When Jesus heals, he does it fully and completely, no half measures!
Throughout the gospels we find women present at the most critical moments of Jesus' life and ministry, but they’re not just bystanders, they’re key figures!
At His Crucifixion, while most of the male disciples, apart from John, had fled in fear, we find the women at the cross! We read in Matthew 27 that this loyal group included Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Matthew 27:55-56
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
What about the most theologically significant role of all, who was it that Jesus choose to reveal his resurrection to the world as the ‘First Witnesses to his Resurrection’? Not one or two, but all four Gospels record that women, specifically ‘Mary Magdalene’ and others, were the first to discover the empty tomb and the first to see and proclaim the risen Jesus (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20).
In a patriarchal culture that didn’t accept the testimony of women, God chose them to be His primary witnesses to the cornerstone event of our Christian faith!
Is the penny starting to drop yet lads? Ok, well, let’s look at two pennies!
The Poor Widow's Offering (Mark 12:41-44) Here Jesus praises a destitute widow who gave her all, two small coins, highlighting her sacrificial generosity over the larger but less significant donations of the wealthy.
Then he taught us about the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) to teach us about the necessity of persistent prayer.
In a patriarchal world, Jesus demonstrates to us that the role of women in His ministry was inclusive, radical and revolutionary!
Jesus treated women with dignity, as individuals worthy of teaching and conversation. He accepted them as disciples who learned, followed, and supported his work. He defied the cultural purity laws to heal and restore them. And He entrusted them with the most important message of His earthly ministry, his resurrection from the dead!
Whilst Jesus didn’t appoint women among the Twelve Apostles (a group that symbolised the twelve tribes of Israel), their integral presence throughout his life, death, and resurrection demonstrates a radical break from the exclusionary practices of 1st-century Judea and establishes their place within the community of his followers as vital and equivalent to that of men.
What about the role of women in the early church? What do we see in the New Testament?
The role of women in the early church, as recorded in the New Testament, was dynamic, significant, and at times complex. Building on the revolutionary inclusion Jesus demonstrated, the early Christian community continued to offer women opportunities for leadership, ministry, and community participation. Though this was sometimes in tension with the prevailing social norms of the Greco-Roman world.
Firstly: Leadership and Ministry Roles
Women held formal and informal positions of authority within the early church communities.
Deacons (Diakonoi). The office of deacon was open to women. *Phoebe* is explicitly mentioned in Romans 16:1-2 as a *diakonos (deacon or minister) of the church in Cenchreae and a prostatis (patron or benefactor). This term prostatis indicates she was a woman of means and influence who provided crucial financial and leadership support to the community and to Paul himself.
Apostles. While the title "apostle" (meaning "one who is sent") was primarily used for the Twelve, it was also applied to others who had seen the risen Christ and were commissioned to spread the gospel.
‘Junia’ is mentioned in Romans 16:7, where Paul says she is "outstanding among the apostles." For centuries, translators often changed the name to the masculine "Junias," but modern scholarship overwhelmingly agrees that Junia was a female apostle highly regarded in the early church.
Co-Workers and Evangelists. Paul refers to several women as his fellow workers in ministry:
Priscilla is almost always named before her husband Aquila, an unusual practice that suggests her prominence. She and her husband instructed the eloquent preacher Apollos in Ephesus (Acts 18:26).
Euodia and Syntyche in Philippi are described as women who "have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel" (Philippians 4:2-3), indicating they were major leaders in the Philippian church.
Secondly, women were ‘Hosts of House Churches’
Since Christians met in homes before dedicated church buildings were constructed, the host of the home often functioned as a leader and patron of the local congregation.
Mary, the mother of John Mark, hosted a church in her house in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12).
Lydia, the first convert in Philippi, a businesswoman, immediately invited Paul and his companions to stay at her home, which became the base for the new church (Acts 16:14-15, 40).
‘Nympha’ is mentioned as hosting a church in her house in Laodicea (Colossians 4:15).
‘Chloe’ was a woman whose "people" reported news from Corinth to Paul (1 Corinthians 1:11), indicating she was a leader of a household that was likely a Christian meeting place.
Thirdly we have ‘Prophets’
The early church highly valued prophecy, and women were active prophets. Philip's Four Daughters are specifically identified as virgins who prophesied (Acts 21:9).
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:5, gives instructions for how women should pray and prophesy in public worship, explicitly acknowledging that this was a normal and accepted practice.
Fourthly they were ‘Patrons and Benefactors’
Many early churches were financially supported by wealthy women who used their resources to advance the gospel, a role that came with significant influence and honour.
As mentioned, Phoebe was a patron (prostatis).
Lydia was a dealer in expensive purple cloth.
This pattern continues the model from Jesus' ministry, where women supported his work from their own means.
Is the New Testament all pro-women?
Unfortunately, the picture of the role of women is not clear-cut and some passages reflect a desire to adapt to Greco-Roman social norms to avoid bringing scandal upon the young movement.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12 instruct women to be silent or not to teach or assume authority over a man. These passages have and are still the subject of extensive debate with many arguing that they are situational commands aimed at specific problems in specific churches (e.g., disruptive speech, teaching false doctrines, or avoiding cultural practices that would hinder evangelism) rather than universal, timeless prohibitions. Whatever way they stand in some tension with the clear evidence of women leading, teaching, and prophesying elsewhere.
My take on this, look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith and ask yourself, ‘What did Jesus teach us?’
As for me, what I see is that the overall witness of the New Testament reveals that women were integral to the life and growth of the early church. They served as Leaders (deacons, apostles, co-workers), Hosts and patrons of congregations, Prophets and teachers, Risk-taking evangelists and benefactors
While the culture of the ancient world sometimes led to restrictions, the foundational spirit of the early church, following the example of Jesus, broke through social barriers and empowered women to use their gifts for the sake of the community and the spread of the gospel.
Have a great week, and God bless,
Trev.