Lexical Summary Sousanna: Susanna Original Word: Σουσάννα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Susanna. Of Hebrew origin (shuwshan feminine); lily; Susannah (i.e. Shoshannah), an Israelitess -- Susanna. see HEBREW shuwshan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin shushan Definition "lily," Susanna, one of the women accompanying Jesus on His journeys NASB Translation Susanna (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4677: ΣουσάνναΣουσάννα, Σουσαννης (cf. Buttmann, 17 (15)), ἡ, (שׁושַׁנָּה, a lily), Susanna, one of the women that attended Jesus on his journeys: Luke 8:3. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Susanna (Sousanna) carries the image of a “lily,” a blossom esteemed in Scripture for fragrance, purity, and beauty (Song of Solomon 2:1–2; Hosea 14:5). The name therefore evokes qualities of grace and freshness appropriate to a woman whose life was renewed by Christ’s healing touch. Biblical Occurrence Susanna appears once in the New Testament: Luke 8:3. Here she is listed among the women healed by Jesus who “were ministering to them out of their own means” (Luke 8:3). Though briefly mentioned, this single notice situates her within the inner circle of early disciples who traveled with the Lord during His Galilean ministry. Role in the Galilean Ministry Luke groups Susanna with Mary Magdalene and Joanna, suggesting that she shared the same twofold experience: 1. Deliverance—Luke’s context (8:1–2) stresses that each woman had been cured of maladies or demonic oppression. Susanna’s life thus bears personal testimony to Jesus’ power. Her presence demonstrates that the gospel draws women into active, public partnership. Luke’s wording (“were ministering,” an imperfect tense) portrays ongoing, habitual service rather than a single donation. Partnership in the Gospel The women of Luke 8 resurface at decisive moments: at the cross (Matthew 27:55–56), at the tomb (Luke 24:1–10), and in the upper room (Acts 1:14). Although Susanna is not individually named in those later lists, Luke’s “many others” (Luke 24:10) leaves open her continued involvement. Collectively these women provide eyewitness corroboration of Jesus’ death and resurrection, balancing the testimony of the Twelve and underscoring Luke’s stated purpose of historical certainty (Luke 1:1–4). Symbolic Resonances The lily motif heightens her portrait: Historical and Traditional Notes Early Christian writers remembered Susanna chiefly through Luke’s Gospel; no reliable extrabiblical biography survives. Medieval art sometimes conflated her with the deuterocanonical heroine of “Susanna and the Elders,” yet Scripture distinguishes the two. The canonical Susanna is notable precisely for her quiet, unrecorded deeds—an example of uncelebrated faithfulness. Lessons for Faith and Practice • Spiritual gratitude expresses itself in practical generosity. Susanna stands as a reminder that every believer, regardless of public recognition, is called to the twin privileges of being healed by Christ and sustaining His work. Forms and Transliterations Σουσαννα Σουσάννα Sousanna SousánnaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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