Elizabeth Of the Women's Corps

Elizabeth, daughter of a wealthy Jew from Tiberias and Sepphoris, found her calling at a tented hospital in Bethsaida, where she ministered to the sick and was deeply moved by Jesus comforting patients and commissioning disciples. After witnessing Jesus' work, her desire to join his mission intensified, and she was thrilled to be commissioned by Jesus through a message relayed by one of David Zebedee’s runners to preach the gospel as a new member of the Women's Evangelistic Corps.

Elizabeth remained a faithful follower through Jesus' ministry to his crucifixion and resurrection and was part of a loyal group of women who closely accompanied Jesus.

Elizabeth was the daughter of a wealthy Jew of Tiberias and Sepphoris. Her desire to help others found fulfillment in a tented hospital in Bethsaida. Here she faithfully ministered to the sick. She also saw Jesus speaking words of comfort to her patients. She would hear Jesus speak and answer questions and watch as Jesus commissioned and then sent out men to tell others his message. All this made a deep impression.

After serving in the hospital, Elizabeth got a message from one of David Zebedee’s runners that she had a personal request from Jesus to come and join him. Elizabeth could hardly believe that she was being commissioned, as she had seen the men commissioned in the same way and asked to go out and preach the gospel in Jesus’ name. This was her heart’s desire that grew stronger every day. The more she watched and listened to Jesus at the hospital, the more she wanted to be with him and help him with his mission.

Elizabeth got her wish and remained loyal, following Jesus’ career through to the bitter end, sharing in his agony, and experiencing the victorious joy of resurrection and the pouring out of his Spirit of Truth upon humankind.

The women’s corps, starting with the ten chosen by Jesus who had served at the hospital, and the subsequent addition of other women, were eyewitnesses and close companions in the life of Jesus. Not one deserted him. Not one betrayed him. They all loved him and stayed true. They were a blessing.

In the Bible, Luke 8:1-3, under the title “Women Minister to Jesus,” when stating that the twelve were with him, we naturally assume that it referred to the twelve apostles. The women’s corps consisted of twelve women with the addition of Mary Magdalene and Rebecca to the original ten. Perhaps this passage was misinterpreted as the twelve men apostles since we now know about the twelve women apostles.