What does Luke 8:2 mean?
In the past couple chapters, Luke has mentioned the crowds that flock around Jesus (Luke 6:17; 7:11). Here, he focuses on a smaller group: the women who financially support Jesus' ministry.Josephus records the account of Herod the Great's youngest brother's wife along with other women who followed and financially supported anti-Herodian Pharisees. Luke, Mark, and Matthew mention Jesus criticizing the way Pharisees win financial support from women, saying they steal the homes of widows (Luke 20:47; Mark 12:40; Matthew 23:14). So, powerful and rich women supporting teachers is not a new phenomenon, but these appear to be the first to travel with their rabbi.
Although this is the first mention of these women, it is not the last. Mary Magdalene witnesses Jesus' death on the cross (Matthew 27:55–56). She also saw Jesus' dead body placed in the tomb (Matthew 27:57–61). Mary Magdalene and Joanna are among the small group that witnesses the empty tomb (Luke 24:1–10). And Mary is the first to see the risen Jesus and attest to His resurrection (John 20:11–18). In his confession of faith, Paul lists four key events: Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and appearance (1 Corinthians 15:3–5). Mary Magdalene is the only named person recorded to have witnessed all four.
Magdalene is believed to reference the town of Magdal Nunaja—"Fishtower"—or Magdala on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Mark 16:9 also mentions Mary's previous possession, but it's important to note that nothing in Scripture ties Mary to the sinful woman of Luke 7:37–38 except proximity in the text.