Luke 8:1-3
Proper 4 – A Women’s Lectionary
1 ISoon afterwardII he wentIII on through one townIV and villageV after another,
I {untranslated} = ginomai. This is to come into being, to happen, become, be born. It can be to emerge from one state or condition to another or is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth.
II “soon afterward” = en + ho + kathexes. Kathexes is 5x in NT. From kata (down, against, throughout, among) + hexes (next, soon, the day after, adjoining); {from echo (to have, hold, possess)}. This is orderly, step by step, just after.
III “went” = diodeuo. 2x in NT. From dia (through, for the sake of, across, thoroughly) + hodeuo (to travel or journey); {from hodos (way, road, path, journey)}. This is to travel through, go around, go on.
IV “town” = polis. This is a city or its inhabitants. It is a town of variable size, but one that has walls. This is where “metropolis” and “police” come from.
V “village” = kome. Perhaps from keimai (to lie, recline, set, be appointed, be destined). This is a village as contrasted with a city that has a wall.
proclaimingVI and bringing the good newsVII of the kingdomVIII of God.IX The twelveX were with him,
VI “proclaiming” = kerusso. This is to proclaim, preach, publish. Properly, it is to act as a herald – announcing something publicly with confidence and/or to persuade.
VII “bringing the good news” = euaggelizo. From eu (well, good, rightly) + aggelos (angel, messenger; a messenger from God bringing news – whether a prophet or an angel) {from aggellos (to bring tidings); probably from ago (to bring, lead, carry, guide)}. This is evangelize – literally to preach the good news. It can be those who hear the news, the news, or a way to say gospel.
VIII “kingdom” = basileia. From basileus (king, emperor, sovereign); probably from basis (step, hence foot; a pace); from baino (to walk, to go). This is kingdom, rule, authority, sovereignty, royalty, a realm.
IX “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
X “twelve” = dodeka. From duo (two, both) + deka (ten). This is twelve – also shorthand for the apostles.
2 as well as some womenXI who had beenXII curedXIII
XI “women” = gune. Related to {untranslated} in v1. Perhaps from ginomai (see note I above). This is woman, wife, or bride. This is where the word “gynecologist” comes from.
XII “been” = eimi. This is to be, exist.
XIII “cured” = therapeuo. From therapon (servant, attendant, minister); perhaps from theros (properly heat and so used for summer); from thero (to heat). This is to serve, care, attend, heal, or cure. Since it means to attend to, it can be used for doctors, but also for those who serve God. So, it can mean worship. This is where the word “therapy” comes from.
of evilXIV spiritsXV and infirmities:XVI
XIV “evil” = poneros. From poneo (to toil); related to ponos (pain, trouble, labor, distress, suffering; toil, which implies anguish); from the base of penes (a laborer, poor person, starving or indigent person; someone who works for their living); from pernomai (working for a living; laborer, poor person; to work for daily bread); from peno (to toil to survive day by day). This is bad, evil, wicked, malicious, grievous, or toilsome. Properly, it is something that bears pain – it emphasizes the miseries and pains that come with evil. By contrast, the Greek kakos refers to evil as part of someone’s core character. Also contrasting the Greek sapros, which deals with falling away from a previously embodied virtue. This word can mean ill, diseased, morally culpable, derelict, vicious, malicious, or guilt. It can also refer to the devil or sinners.
XV “spirits” = pneuma. From pneo (to blow, breathe, breathe hard). This is wind, breath, or ghost. A breeze or a blast or air, a breath. Figuratively used for a spirit, the human soul or part of us that is rational. It is also used supernaturally for angels, demons, God, and the Holy Spirit. This is where pneumonia comes from.
XVI “infirmities” = astheneia. From asthenes (without strength, sick, deprivation; weak in a moral or physical sense); {From a (not) + sthenes (strong, vigor); {from the base of sthenoo (to strengthen so that one can be mobile); from sthenos (strength)}}. This is weakness, frailty, illness, suffering, or calamity. It is any kind of sickness or injury that includes weakness or diminishes your ability to enjoy or accomplish what you would choose.
Mary,XVII calledXVIII Magdalene,XIX from whom sevenXX demonsXXI had gone out,XXII
XVII “Mary” = Maria. From Hebrew Miryam (Aaron and Moses’s sister); from marah (to be contentious, rebellious, bitter, provoking, disobedient; to be or make bitter or unpleasant; figuratively, to rebel or resist; causatively to provoke). This is Miriam or Mary.
XVIII “called” = kaleo. Related to keleuo (to command, order, direct); from kelomai (to urge on). This is to call by name, invite, to name, bid, summon, call aloud.
XIX “Magdalene” = Magdalene. 12x in NT. From Magdala (Magadan, a place near the Sea of Galilee); perhaps from Aramaic migdal, see also Hebrew migdal (tower); from gadal (to grow, grow up, be great). This is from Magdala.
XX “seven” = hepta. This is seven or seventh. Figuratively, seven is the number of completeness or perfection.
XXI “demons” = daimonion. From daimon (evil spirit, demon, fallen angel); perhaps from daio (giving out destinies). This is demon, evil spirit, god of another religion, or fallen angel.
XXII “gone out” = exerchomai. From ek (from, from out of) + erchomai (to come, go). This is to go out, depart, escape, proceed from, spread news abroad.
3 and Joanna,XXIII the wifeXXIV of Herod’sXXV
XXIII “Joanna” = Ioanna. 2x in NT– only in Luke’s gospel. From Ioannes (John, meaning “the Lord has been gracious”); From Hebrew yochanan (Johanan); from Yehochanan (“the Lord has been gracious”); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel); {from havah (to become); from hayah (to be, exist, happen)} + chanan (beseech, show favor, be gracious; properly, to bend in kindness to someone with less status). This is Joanna, meaning “the Lord has been gracious.”
XXIV “wife” = gune. Same as “women” in v2. See note XI above.
XXV “Herod’s” = Herodes. Perhaps from heros (hero, warrior) + oide (song, ode, legend, tale); {from aoide (song, ode, legend, tale); {from aeido (to sing) + e (this is added to verbs to make them nouns)}} OR from hera (Hera) + oide (same as above). This is Herod, perhaps “hero’s song,” “Hera’s song,” or “heroic.” See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Herod
stewardXXVI Chuza,XXVII and Susanna,XXVIII
XXVI “steward” = epitropos. 3x in NT. From epitrepo (to allow, permit, yield, entrust, give license); {from epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + the same as trope (turning, change, shifting); {from trepo (to turn)}}. This is a someone who has authority like an administrator, foreman, guardian, or steward. It could also be someone who has care over a child under 14.
XXVII “Chuza” = Chouzas. 1x in NT. Perhaps from chazah (to see, to experience a vision). This is Chuza, which may mean “seer” or “visionary.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Chuza.html
XXVIII “Susanna” = Sousanna. 1x in NT. From Hebrew shushan (lily, Shoshan, or Shoshannah; other flowers that look like lilies, architecture decoration in the shape of a lily, a musical tune, or trumpets due to the similar appearance); {perhaps from sus (to rejoice, be glad; properly, to be bright or cheerful)}. This is Susanna or Sousanna, meaning “lily” or “white” or “pure.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Susan.html
and manyXXIX others,XXX who ministeredXXXI to them out of their own resources.XXXII
XXIX “many” = polus. This is much, often, plenteous – a large number or a great extent.
XXX “others” = heteros. This is other, another, different, strange. It is another of a different kind in contrast to the Greek word allos, which is another of the same kind. This could be a different quality, type, or group.
XXXI “ministered” = diakoneo. From diakonos (servant, minister, waiter, or attendant; a person who performs a service, including religious service); {perhaps from dia (through, across to the other side, thoroughly) + konis (dust) OR from dioko (to chase after, put to flight; by implication, to persecute or to purse like a hunter after its prey; this can be earnestly pursue or zealously persecute); {related to dio (put to flight)}}. This is to wait at table, to serve generally, to minister or administer, to be in the office of deacon. To wait on someone as a slave, friend, or host.
XXXII “resources” = huparcho. From hupo (by, under, about, subordinate to) + archo (to rule, begin, have first rank or have political power). This is to begin or be ready, to exist or possess. It is what one already has or possesses.
Image credit: “Icon of the Landing of St. Marys.” Photo by Jean.guyou, 2019.