Women at the Last Supper
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The roles of women in Christianity have long fascinated me. Growing up in China and seeing the roles of women there but knowing that Jesus loves men and women equally, I remember asking, "Daddy, why didn't Jesus have any girl disciples?"
My missionary father answered, "Why, of course he did." Then he showed me some of the gospel passages in his pocket New Testament about the "girls" and women who followed Jesus.
He read Matthew 27:55: "Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs." Then he turned the pages to Luke 8:1-3: "Jesus traveled 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 Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means."
"See?" he told me. "Jesus had many women followers and disciples."
Several years later, not long after my family escaped from China because of the Communist takeover, and settled safely in Taiwan, I saw a picture of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" painting in a magazine. I rushed to Dad and said, "Look, why aren't there any girls at the Last Supper?"
He answered, "The women were likely there. They just aren't shown in this painting." He didn't try to explain centuries of church theology and tradition. Instead he patiently showed me in the gospel accounts how the women were with Jesus and his 12 closest male disciples right before and after the Last Supper.
As I've studied the Bible more deeply, I've discovered women often weren't named. But that doesn't mean they weren't there—such as in the genealogies (with several exceptions in Matthew)—and we all know women had to be there.
So imagine my excitement when my husband and I traveled a few years ago to the Vatican and then the Louvre, and there viewed ancient, wall-sized paintings of the Last Supper portraying women and children along with the men!
Who Were These Women?
According to gospel accounts and Christian tradition, Jesus' mother Mary was one of his most faithful followers. She urged him to turn water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2:1-11) and stood at his cross when he was dying (John 19:26). It's likely she attended that last Passover, a family Seder meal, with her son.
Another Mary, from Magdala, was the disciple Jesus appeared to first after his resurrection (John 20:10-18). She was certainly in the vicinity.
A third Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus of Bethany, could have attended the Last Supper, sitting and listening one last time at Jesus' feet. Someone had to cook the meal. Perhaps her sister, Martha, filled that role (Luke 10:38-42).
Related Topics:
Bible Study, Jesus, Relationship with, Women in Biblical Times
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ernest ewing
Well I guess: There is no problem with feminist and religion. The problem in the Catholic Church are men still behaving themselves like Machos. It is time the Catholic Church gives women the same rights as men. Ernest Ewing
Bubbleherder
I loved your article and how it reminded me that real life was happening all around Jesus. There was certainly more going on that what's depicted in a 15th century painting! It's interesting to learn about the roles women played in bible history; whether significant or in service. I don't see your article as feminist or idea-inserting, but as a reminder that women can and do contribute much to the Kingdom of God. Thank you for the snapshot! Diana
linda
I loved your article! And it is not massageing scripture at all. What a blessing this thought, of Godly women who loved Jesus, and followed HIM, was to me.
Cross-walker
I don't quite get it. I understand as a child we ask the why questions?, but as we come to understand scripture and know more of who God is and develop a deeper closer relationship with Christ our Lord, inserting ideas into scripture when it's not a part of scripture can be dangerous and the Bible would teach we ought not too...other wise we are simply trying to appease our self. Yet we are all equal, non is loftier then the other because someone isn't mentioned...as children we understand as children, as an adult we....
Terrence
Thank you J.B. you took the words right out of my mouth, I percieve that although the motivation for the research was honest, and sincere. We must be careful as Biblical believers not to imbibe a feminist perspective on the scriptures; keeping in mind that we are called to submit our gender issues as well as other issues to Christ rather than project them on to Christ. On the wall. Terrence
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