Jesus didn’t just include women in His ministry—He empowered them in ways that defied the norms of His time. He taught women as disciples, welcomed them into His traveling ministry, defended their dignity publicly, and entrusted them with the most important message in history: His resurrection. Key figures like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna weren’t background characters—they were central to the mission.
This article explores how Jesus elevated women to roles of significance in both His earthly ministry and the early Church. If you’ve ever wondered what the Bible really says about women following Jesus, this is your chance to see the facts laid out clearly. Keep reading for a deeper dive into Scripture, stories, and insights that show how Jesus continues to empower women today.
When people talk about Jesus and His disciples, they often picture a group of twelve men. But that’s not the whole story. Jesus empowered women in ways that were radical for His time. He taught them, traveled with them, trusted them, and gave them roles that changed the course of history. If you’ve ever wondered where women fit into Jesus’ ministry, this article is for you.
Let’s walk through how Jesus empowered women—and who His female disciples really were.
1. The Culture Jesus Stepped Into
To appreciate how Jesus treated women, you’ve got to understand the world He lived in.
- 1st-century Jewish culture was patriarchal. Women were often excluded from religious learning, and their testimony in court wasn’t considered equal to a man’s.
- Rabbis didn’t usually teach women. In fact, some believed it was a waste of time.
- Public interaction between men and women was limited. Especially between unrelated men and women.
So, when Jesus spoke openly to women, taught them, and treated them as equals, it shocked people.
2. Jesus Taught Women—Like Real Disciples
One of the clearest examples is found in Luke 10:38–42.
“Mary…sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations…”
Mary wasn’t just hanging out. “Sitting at the feet” of a rabbi meant you were learning like a disciple. That’s exactly what Mary was doing, and Jesus defended her right to do so:
“Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42)
That’s a bold statement. Jesus was saying that learning His teaching wasn’t just for men—it was for women too.
3. Women Who Followed Jesus
Luke 8:1–3 names several women who traveled with Jesus:
“…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 weren’t just tagging along. They were:
- Financial supporters of Jesus’ ministry (Luke 8:3 says they “were helping to support them out of their own means”).
- Active disciples, learning from Jesus daily.
- Present during His teaching, healing, and travels.
Key female disciples:
- Mary Magdalene – She’s named more than most male disciples. She’s at the cross, at the tomb, and is the first to witness the resurrection.
- Joanna – A woman with political and financial influence, connected to Herod’s household.
- Susanna – Less is known, but she’s listed among Jesus’ core female followers.
These women were part of Jesus’ inner circle. They weren’t just “support staff.” They were disciples in every sense of the word.
4. Jesus Publicly Defended and Affirmed Women
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus interacts with women in ways that directly challenge cultural norms.
The Woman at the Well (John 4)
Jesus speaks at length with a Samaritan woman—crossing three social lines: gender, religion, and moral status. She becomes the first evangelist, telling her town about Jesus.
“Many of the Samaritans…believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39)
The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8)
Jesus doesn’t excuse her sin—but He defends her dignity and exposes the hypocrisy of the crowd.
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Instead of condemnation, He offers forgiveness:
“Go now and leave your life of sin.”
5. Women at the Cross and the Tomb
Where were the male disciples when Jesus was crucified? Most had fled.
But the women? They stayed.
- “Many women were there, watching from a distance.” (Matthew 27:55)
- Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons were all present.
And after Jesus died?
- Women were the first at the tomb.
- Women were the first to see the risen Jesus.
- Women were the first to proclaim the resurrection.
In John 20:17–18, Jesus tells Mary Magdalene:
“Go to my brothers and tell them…”
And she goes—becoming the first messenger of the resurrection.
6. Women in the Early Church
The empowerment didn’t stop after Jesus’ resurrection. His movement continued to include women in meaningful leadership roles.
- Priscilla (Romans 16:3) – A teacher of Apollos, a respected male leader.
- Phoebe (Romans 16:1–2) – Called a deacon and trusted to deliver Paul’s letter to the Romans.
- Junia (Romans 16:7) – Described as “outstanding among the apostles.”
Clearly, Jesus laid a foundation for women to lead and serve in the early church.
7. So, Did Jesus Empower Women? Absolutely.
Let’s recap the evidence:
- He taught women directly and personally.
- He had female disciples who traveled with Him and funded His ministry.
- He entrusted women with the message of His resurrection.
- He defended women publicly and restored their dignity.
- He prepared them to be leaders in the early church.
Jesus didn’t just tolerate women. He valued, taught, trusted, and empowered them—often more than the society around Him ever would.
8. What This Means for You
If you’re a woman wondering whether you have a place in Jesus’ mission—the answer is a loud yes.
If you’re a man, this is a reminder to honor and uplift the women God calls—just like Jesus did.
Jesus wasn’t just ahead of His time. He was building a kingdom where men and women alike are invited, equipped, and sent.
Final Thought
The story of Jesus and His female disciples isn’t a footnote—it’s central to the Gospel. He changed how women saw themselves, how others saw them, and how the Church should see them.
And He’s still doing that today.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
That’s not just theology. That’s empowerment.
10 FAQs – Did Jesus Empower Women? A Look at His Female Disciples
- Did Jesus really have female disciples?
Yes, Jesus had several female disciples, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. Luke 8:1–3 specifically mentions women who traveled with Him and supported His ministry. - How did Jesus empower women compared to the culture of His time?
Jesus lived in a patriarchal society where women were often excluded from religious life. He broke these norms by teaching women, speaking to them publicly, and affirming their value and calling. - Was Mary Magdalene a disciple of Jesus?
Absolutely. Mary Magdalene followed Jesus closely, supported His ministry, was present at the crucifixion, and was the first to witness and proclaim His resurrection. - What role did women play in Jesus’ ministry?
Women supported Jesus financially, traveled with Him, learned from Him directly, and were entrusted with vital messages—especially the news of His resurrection. - Did Jesus teach women directly?
Yes. One example is Mary of Bethany in Luke 10:38–42, where Jesus affirms her choice to sit at His feet and learn, a position typically reserved for male disciples. - How did Jesus treat women compared to other religious leaders?
Unlike many religious leaders of His time, Jesus treated women with dignity, spoke to them openly, forgave them, and gave them spiritual authority and responsibility. - What does the Bible say about women at the resurrection?
The Gospels show that women were the first to discover the empty tomb and the first to see the risen Christ. Jesus commissioned Mary Magdalene to tell the others, making her the first witness of the resurrection (John 20:17–18). - Did women have leadership roles in the early Church?
Yes. Women like Priscilla, Phoebe, and Junia were leaders, teachers, and deacons in the early Church, continuing the empowerment Jesus began. - Why doesn’t the Bible list women among the Twelve Apostles?
While the Twelve were all men, the Bible records many other disciples beyond them, including women. Jesus’ choice of twelve men was symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel, not a rejection of women in discipleship. - What can modern Christians learn from how Jesus treated women?
We learn that Jesus values and empowers women equally. The Church is called to follow His example—recognizing, teaching, and sending women just as Jesus did.
