How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #4
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. (NRSV 8:1-3)
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. (KJV 8:1-3)
Female followers. Not only is it progressive, but it makes for some nice alliteration, too. Still, these women are "serving" Jesus. That's the very same type of work that Simon's mother-in-law started to perform for him after he cured her fever (4:39). Don't let the NRSV fool you. The Greek verb is the same in 8:3 as it is in 4:39.
Quote #5
[…] a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her." (NRSV 10:38-42)
[…] a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus's feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (KJV 10:38-42)
Martha is busy doing what women do in Luke's gospel: serving the men (see 4:39; 8:3). Once again, we have the same Greek word describing both situations. And then there's Mary, who's interested in Jesus's instruction and ignores her womanly duties to listen to him
So it looks like female followers of Jesus can serve the men (8:3), but they're also able to receive instruction along with the men. But is it enough? Mary is, after all, sitting at Jesus's feet (10:39). Apparently that's where he likes to keep women—check out 7:38 to see what we mean.
Quote #6
But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. (NRSV 23:49)
And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. (KJV 23:49)
Jesus's female followers are with Jesus to the bitter end, no different from the men.