Who is the Susanna in the Bible, and what is her role?

Who is Susanna in the Bible and how can we learn from her example? Many names are mentioned only once throughout the Bible, but their presence serves as a reminder that God remembers them by including their names. Some unique mentions, like Ben-Ammi, are significant due to their associations.

Ben-Ammi was the son of Lot and the father of the Ammonites, who were known enemies of Israel (Genesis 19:36-38). Others, like Susanna in the Bible, are important because of their context, role in the life of a larger Biblical character, and the example they set for us. Who is Susanna in the Bible and how can we learn from her example?

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Are there several women named Susanna in the Bible?

In the canonical Bible (recognized books of the Bible), only one Susanna is mentioned in Luke 8:1-3. We will learn more about her below.

The Book of Susanna is included in the Deuterocanonical Apocrypha. The Apocrypha is a collection of books written during the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. While these books are included in the Septuagint, they are not in the officially recognized Hebrew canon.

This collection contains much historical content, but most denominations do not accept the writings as part of the official and authoritative Biblical canon. Much of the first-century Jewish history is found in the Apocrypha. Protestants generally do not believe in the teachings of the Apocrypha; other religious affiliations accept portions of it.

According to Jennifer A. Glancy, a professor of religious studies, “The Book of Susanna depicts a wealthy Jewish Babylonian woman named Susanna. Two judges conspire to entrap her, threatening to accuse her of adultery if she does not have sex with them, but because of her strong faith, she rejects their advances, and they bring her to court, accusing her of adultery. She cries out to God, and God responds by sending a man named Daniel, who exposes the judges as false witnesses and saves Susanna from the death sentence.”

Where can we see Susanna in the New Testament? (Susanna in the Bible)

Luke 8:1-3 introduces us to another woman named Susanna, associated with the followers of Jesus.

“Soon afterward, he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their means.”

Let’s look at the context of this passage. Benjamin Gladd, a New Testament scholar, tells us that one of the themes Luke deals with in his gospel is “the exaltation of the humble and the humbling of the proud.” In the chapter preceding Susanna’s mention in the Bible, we read about how Jesus healed a centurion’s servant (Luke 7:1-10), raised a widow’s son (Luke 7:11-17), and his fame spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country (Luke 7:17).

In Luke 7:18-35, Jesus affirmed his identity to the disciples of John the Baptist, which upset the Pharisees and lawyers (Luke 7:30). The story of the sinful woman follows in Luke 7:36-50. We read how her tears wet Jesus’ feet, how she wiped them with her hair, and then anointed Jesus with oil.

A Pharisee who saw the woman implicitly rebuked Jesus because he felt Jesus should have known what kind of woman she was—a sinner. Jesus knew his thoughts and told a parable for everyone around about a man who was forgiven much. Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:47-48).

After this beautiful narrative, we come to Luke 8. Verse 1 tells us that Jesus soon afterward “went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him” (Luke 8:1). His apostles accompanied him, as did a group of women said to have been healed by Jesus of evil spirits and infirmities. One was Mary Magdalene, to whom Jesus appeared first after his resurrection (Mark 16:9). Another was Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod Antipas’ household manager, and Susanna, the only other woman named among many unnamed others.

What does the Bible say about Susanna’s connection to Jesus? (Susanna in the Bible)

With the contextual evidence, we can infer the following about Susanna:

1. She was a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ and left her home to travel with him and the apostles.
2. Given the description before the names Mary, Joanna, and Susanna, we understand that Jesus healed Susanna—either from evil spirits or an infirmity.
3. She was a wealthy woman capable of helping “provide for their needs” (Jesus and the apostles) out of “her means.”
4. Jesus accepted her companionship and support. She and other women spared Jesus and his apostles unnecessary concerns about provisions.

What can we learn from service of Susanna in the Bible?

Jesus had no possessions or income from earthly endeavors (Luke 9:58), but his ministry required money for food and necessities for himself and his disciples, like clothing, shoes, etc. These women came alongside him and helped as much as they could. The Bible does not say, but it is assumed the women helped prepare meals as well.

To say that Jesus was unconventional in that culture is an understatement, as he not only spoke to women but also welcomed them in his formal and informal settings [in public proclamations and family environments, such as Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Luke 10:38-42)]. Rabbis were not known for spending time teaching women, but Jesus did. He did not adhere to human traditions and faced the ire of Jewish leaders for his kindness toward women (John 4:1-45) and affirming women (Mark 14:9).

Mary, the formerly demon-possessed woman, whose presence in the group must have raised more than a few eyebrows and likely public ridicule, did not deter Jesus’ acceptance of her or Susanna’s willingness to accompany her, as they followed Jesus together.

Joanna is another interesting member of the group, as her husband was a prominent servant in Herod Antipas’ household, the Herod who beheaded John the Baptist. It is ironic that the money he paid to Joanna’s husband helped sustain Jesus’ ministry.

We know nothing about family of Susanna the Bible, except that she was Jewish. We know that she willingly joined Jesus, his apostles, and other women who ministered to the Lord, and she was known among them. She and the other women had more in common than just ethnicity and heritage; the Lord Jesus had redeemed them all. We can assume that they sacrificially contributed to the work and ministry of Jesus.

We who love Jesus and call him Lord are sinners, servants, little ones, and saints.

We are sinners because of Adam’s sin imputed to us. We will remain sinners until our ultimate glory in heaven.

We are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, here on earth to lovingly proclaim the gospel as his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).

We are little ones in the kingdom of God—small, humble people who submit to his holy authority (Matthew 28:18-20).

We are saints by God’s grace (Colossians 1:12). We are a holy people for his use and glory (1 Peter 2:9).

The women who followed Jesus served him willingly and openly. Isn’t that an example for us to similarly serve him? We Christians, saints by God’s grace (Colossians 1:12), are to provide for those whose daily work is kingdom work—proclaiming, teaching, and defending the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 6:2; 1 Timothy 5:17). Men and women alike are called to follow Jesus, regardless of our backgrounds or social standing. name of Susanna in the Bible may have a brief mention, but God uses her service to Jesus as an example.