Archaeological Find Powerfully Supports the Gospel of Luke

Luke addressed both his Gospel and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles to one Theophilus – or in the case of the Gospel, to “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3), indicating he was a person of rank.  Scholars have debated for centuries who this personage may have been.  Now, the discovery of an artifact from First-Century Jerusalem may have solved the mystery.  What’s even more exciting is the light which the solution sheds on the meticulous accuracy of Luke’s accounts.

In 1983 archaeologists discovered an ossuary, a bone box, which bears the inscription, “Theophilus the High Priest and his granddaughter Joanna.”

The Jewish historian Josephus records that a Theophilus was the Jewish High Priest from A.D. 37-41.  Could Luke have been corresponding with the leader of the Jewish Sanhedrin?

The name of Joanna appears twice in the Bible.  First, at Luke 8:1-3, it is said that she was among those accompanying Jesus as He went from town to town preaching 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.

And at Luke 24:1-10, we see that Joanna was among the women who went to Jesus’ tomb early Sunday morning, thereby becoming one of the very first witnesses to the Resurrection:

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.  It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.  [vv. 9-10.]

But here is the really amazing part.  Luke 24, verses 8-11 constitutes a chiasm.  According to Google AI, a chiasm is

a literary device with a symmetrical structure, often described as an A-B-C-X-C’-B’-A’ pattern. It presents a concept and then repeats it in reverse order, creating a balanced and memorable structure. This structure highlights the central idea, which is typically found at the peak of the chiasm.

So here is the chiastic structure of Luke 24:8-11:

A: They remembered his words (v. 8)

B: The Eleven (v. 9)

C: The others (v. 9)

D: Mary Magdalene (v. 10)

X: Joanna (v. 10)

D’: Mary, mother of James (v. 10)

C’ The others (v. 10)

B’ The apostles (v. 10)

A’ They did not believe these words (v. 11)

The chiasm sends a message to the reader: This is important. Pay attention!

Renowned Bible scholar Richard Bauckham concludes that the appearance of Joanna’s name at the focus of the chiasm reflects Luke’s intention to emphasize her significance as a witness to the empty tomb.

It is also conceivable that Luke intended to send a personal message to Theophilus in particular – on the supposition, arguably, that the chiasm would have some special significance to him.  Thus, “Theophilus!  Your own granddaughter is a witness to the Resurrection!  If you have any questions, you may direct them to her.”  Perhaps Theophilus had a close, confidential relationship with Joanna, such that he might be highly likely to credit her testimony.  Perhaps Joanna, during an interview by Luke, encouraged him to address his Gospel to Theophilus.  Perhaps Theophilus then became one of that “great company of the priests,” referred to at Acts 6:7, who “were obedient to the faith.”

At a minimum, the chiasm and the possible connection between Joanna and Theophilus seem to reflect Luke’s meticulous research and attention to detail – a circumstance adding to the reader’s conviction of the historicity of the astonishing events which Luke recounts.[i], [ii]

---

[i]Incidentally, Luke employs chiasm again at Luke 24:13-35.  See https://www.chiasmusxchange.com/2015/04/02/luke-2413-28/.

[ii] Other sources: Frank Turek, Cross-Examined.org, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-6NeP7ENRk; Shane Rosenthal, “Luke’s Key Witness,” humbleskeptic.com, May 31, 2025, https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes.