What does the Bible say about Female Pastors and Leaders?
If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you have probably heard about the Upside Down Kingdom. It illustrates how the values and goals of the Kingdom of God differ from those of the world. These values and goals often contradict worldly ones. Jesus says the last will be first, and those seeking to lead must serve everyone. This concept makes sense to you as a Christian. However, it radically rejects the way the world works. Jesus turns the world on its head, in other words. His pattern for your life is so totally different. You must let go of the old rules, motivations, and desires. Only then can you fully embrace God’s. At first, Jesus’ ways seem foreign to you. But soon, you realize they are the ones that are Right Side Up. It is only when you accept this fundamental reorientation that the things of God will makes sense. This change of perspective is particularly important when you look at some of the challenging issues that confront Christians today. It is hard to see God’s answer to hard questions when your own worldview cannot tell up from down.
The question of whether the Bible allows female pastors and elders is just one of these issues. However, it remains one of the most controversial. There are a lot of emotions, accusations and hurt feelings in the church world over the debate. It also causes confusion, contention, division, and disagreement among God’s people. The root of all these issues is understandable to some extent. This is due to the bad things that women have experienced in the past, both in the church and the world. It is also because of the unbiblical views of pastors and leaders held in some circles. Despite the debate and the pain, the answer from the Bible is clear when viewed from a totally Kingdom oriented perspective. It may not make sense to the culture. But what about Jesus does?
Are you willing to let go of the world’s standard and look at the question with me according to Jesus’? If so, here are 27 Bible Passages on Women in Leadership that may help you answer this important question.
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The Bible as the Eternal Guide
1 1 Peter 1:
For, “All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
2. 2 Timothy 3
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Do you believe these verse above? Do you accept the Word as your unchanging operating manual for life?
Your answers to these questions will likely decide much about your walk with Jesus.
If you accept that God inspired the Bible, you acknowledge its eternal nature. It is meant to direct your doctrine. Then, you will not fall for many of the most popular arguments of post-modernism that plague the church. The world’s framework argues there is no objective truth. It claims the passage of time automatically negates God’s Word. In contrast, a biblical perspective states His morality and plans for the church are perfect and unchanging. They were never meant to follow the whims of society. The standard for His Church is eternally what the Bible defines. This truth is always a wonderful thing. God’s structure and plan for His church is better than man’s.
The only way to answer questions within God’s Kingdom, as a result, is to unflinchingly seek what God says about it. This must be done regardless of what the world is doing or what you would prefer the answer to be.
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God Loves Equality
3. Galatians 3:26-28
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
4. Ephesians 2:14-18
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Jesus has been the world’s most influential advocate for freedom and equality for the past 2,000 years. This idea may surprise you since the Bible is often attacked as a tool of oppression. The truth is actually just the opposite. It is the reason that so many of the rulers of His time hated Him. The Roman world was deeply divided between class, sex, religion, and race. The rulers of Rome never questioned their right to keep the 6 million slaves of the Empire and discriminate. Even in Israel, society viewed the poor, sick, and disabled as lesser than the “good people.” They believed these individuals deserved their lot in life. Nothing was equal or fair and people simply accepted that as part of life. Jesus’ Upside Down Kingdom changed all of this. Jesus boldly declared that all were created equal by God more than 1,700 years before the U.S. Declaration of Independence was written. His Gospel proclaimed equality among all believers.
In Jesus, there is no longer Jew or Gentile. There is no longer slave or free. Every believer is elevated to the same status as a member of Jesus’ family.
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This is the foundation of the old saying, “The Ground is level at the foot of the Cross”. The free gifts God gives you make you equally valuable and loved by Jesus. You are as valuable as any other believer, no matter who they are. Importantly, this core doctrine makes all believers equally loved on the same “level” with Jesus. It also rejects the ideas of “special” classes of Christians, including pastors or elders. They don’t ascend to a higher level like a guru of a false religion. They are just believers with a specific role, just like everyone else:
5. 1 Corinthians 1:5-8
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
This means that a call to ministry is not a promotion from God. It is not something you earn that places you in a better position with Him. A call to ministry differs from a company’s Vice President being rewarded for hard work. It does not lead to a superior position, a raise, a corner office, or a parking space. There is no church corporate ladder to climb, or at least there shouldn’t be. It is just one role given by the Lord for the benefit of the church. It is neither better nor worse than any other. As a result, someone not being called into ministry has not been mistreated. They have not missed out on a reward that they earned. It is nothing like wrongfully denying a worker a position or raise that they deserve. God’s roles are His to give out. None of these roles are superior or more valuable than others. Therefore, there is nothing unfair about not getting the one that you think you are entitled to.
6. 1 Corinthians 12:15-19
If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
This passage is particularly helpful in disarming many of the powerful emotional appeals that go along with this issue. In it, God makes it clear that He understands Christians may object to His plan. They might want a different position. The entire chapter addresses objections from those who believe one role in the church holds more value than another. These roles are often sought after fervently. Despite their feelings, God does not waver in His plan or change His mind. Instead, He reassures you that every role is decided by God. Every part of the body is loved by God. It is appreciated by God and important to Him. His choice for you is just part of His perfect plan for you.
In other words, no one is missing out by not doing what God does not call them to do. This is particularly true when you remember the costs involved in the role:
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7. 2 Corinthians 11:23-29
Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
Would there be so many arguing over entitlement to any position in the church if we all truly accepted Paul’s description of ministry here in 2 Corinthians 11?
Serving Jesus is all about denying self, not demanding you get what you seek.
God’s Plan for the Church
God made all of His people equal before Him in Jesus. The Bible is His eternal outline for His Kingdom. The role of pastor, leader, or elder does not make a Christian better than anyone else. God specifically chooses roles for His people. Understanding these things makes the next step a whole lot easier. It allows you to read the applicable verses to see what does the Bible say about women leading in church? The answer is actually quite clear.
8. 1 Timothy 2:8-15
I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
This entire passage is important on the question, both for what is present in the section and what is not.
What is there?
The Apostle Paul states clearly that he does not allow women to teach or to have authority over a man. Remember, the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. This statement does not imply importance or ranking. Paul is not expressing his inner misogyny. He is not following the pattern of the unfair culture of the day. It also has nothing to do with God’s love toward women versus men. A woman’s value in ministry, the home, and church is in no way lesser than men. Her significance in life is not diminished by this restriction. God, in His sovereignty, chooses men to act as leaders in the church. This is consistent with how He has led His people throughout the Bible.
What is not there?
There is no indication that this passage should only apply to the Corinthians.
Some argue that this passage indicates Paul is addressing a cultural problem. They claim this direction is only meant for that time period. They explain that women were either being loud in church asking questions or were uneducated and therefore unable to lead.
Yet, there is absolutely no evidence of any of these in the text or from history.
Most of the men leading the early church, like Peter or John, were uneducated fishermen. If education had been a real requirement, the church would have been in big trouble.
More importantly, the passage actually specifically rejects the claims about culture being the driving force. Paul clearly states the reason for not allowing women to teach the church or exercise authority over men in verses 13-14:
And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
Paul links the requirement for male leadership back to the fall of Genesis and goes on to explain the reasoning. This explanation may be culturally challenging for us. However, it clearly dispels the objection that the restriction was temporary. It was neither culturally driven nor localized. The basis of God’s sovereign choice of gifts and roles for each of His people points back to Genesis. This makes it a permanent foundation.
9. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
Some cross referencing and qualification is required for these verses to understand Paul’s meaning. He may seem to be harsh here. He appears to require women not to speak at all during “church,” which is another common objection. However, this does not make sense when you read the rest of the New Testament. The Bible refers to women praying publicly in 1 Corinthians 11. It also mentions women teaching other women and children. Additionally, multiple women hosted early churches in their homes, including Chloe and Lydia. Paul’s most valuable aid, Timothy, whom he calls his son in the faith, learns the Gospel from his mother and grandmother. Timothy’s father was not a believer. All of these wonderful women spoke the words of life. They also spoke in their homes. This was not possible if they were not allowed to speak. As a result, Paul’s directions here support those of 1 Timothy 2. These directions deal with teaching and leading men rather than speaking at all.
10. 1 Timothy 3:1-7
This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
More ink has been spilled on this passage than one might imagine. People argue over the exact meaning of “the husband of one wife.” However, this discussion is only necessary if you negate the meaning of other passages on this issue. Doing so then causes the need to alter its clear meaning. In that case, you would need to change it to adapt to something it simply does not say. Reading it on its own, however, allows it to make sense and follow along with Paul’s other passages. It states that a bishop, the word from which we get elder, must be a man with only one wife. The grammar of the rest of the passage is in the masculine. It addresses the qualities of that same man. It does not require a bishop to have a wife, but it does assume that a bishop is a man.
God’s Plan for the Home
11. 1 Timothy 5:22-25
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
My wife is a strong, intelligent, and determined woman. She loves Jesus and knows the Bible inside and out. She can spot a false teacher easily. She also identifies anyone trying to manipulate Bible verses for their own benefit and is not afraid to say so. She is better at many things than I am and has been a follower of Jesus longer. Her strength is one of my comforts as a pastor. I know she will not hesitate to question me with love and grace. She will do so if I start veering off into self-promotion or heresy. She finds these verses to be the most emotionally convincing evidence on the question of female pastors. To her, it makes no logical sense for God to set up an order for the home and then undermine it in the structure of the church. From observation, men already have a hard enough time leading like Jesus in the home. Women already tend to be challenged not to lead. Why would God make it harder by having that example in the church?
You have to take a bit of a detour here. This is necessary if you want to answer all of the questions this issue raises. Many Christians object to the idea that God has a plan for the home as well. Again, this does not mean inequality in the home or in God’s eyes, but that Scripture clearly sets out His plan, despite the objections:
“But you don’t include Ephesians 5:21!” says the counter argument! “That changes everything. It says husbands and wives should submit to one another. Therefore, there is no leadership intended in Ephesians.”
For reference, here is 5:21:
submitting to one another in the fear of God.
This is the most common argument against the clear reading of Ephesians 5 as God calling the husband to lead. However, this claim ignores the structure and context of Ephesians 5. It also overlooks the companion verses in Colossians 3.
In Ephesians 5, Paul clearly sets out God’s direction to the church about how to interact with one another. Paul first gives general directions that apply to everyone. These include walking in wisdom, walking in light, and submitting to one another. It is during these generally applicable directions that 5:21 shows up.
Paul then continues and directly names and addresses specific situations in the end of the chapter. As you can see above, his words instruct husbands and wives separately. He instructs parents and children, as well as slaves and masters, separately. Paul lays out how the Lord would have them interact with one another within those situations and only within them. The Lord’s direction to wives is to be subject to their husbands as to the Lord. This instruction makes sense only within its intended context. Similarly, husbands should love their wives as the Lord loves His church. This love applies within a specific relationship and not outside of it.
This fact this section deals with specific relationships also prevents the earlier verses from being applied to the relationships referenced. Parents are clearly not meant to submit to their children. Masters certainly don’t submit to their servants. Many apply the mutual submission reading from verse 21 to husbands and wives. This interpretation would render these directions to be nonsensical.
The parallel passage in Colossians 3 further demonstrates Paul’s meaning.
13. Colossians 3:18-22
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God
There is no verse comparable to Ephesians 5:21 in the Colossian passage. There is no mention of mutual submission. As a result, the reasonable conclusion is that the Bible intends for the husband to lead the home. This intention is stated in the passage.
What About the Female Apostle, Female Judge, Phoebe, or Priscilla I Heard About?
14. Romans 16:7
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
I know this post is already long. However, there are a number of arguments on this issue. I don’t think they are biblical, but I will push on and deal with them.
An ancient Christian named Junia is central to one of the big debates. The reasons for this seem convincing at first. However, they fall apart upon closer examination. Proponents of this position allege that Paul’s short greeting at the end of Romans to two names, Andronicus and Junia, is terribly important. They argue it should change the meaning of the rest of the clear verses on the issue. They argue that Romans 16:7 indicate that Junia was not only a female, but that she was a female Apostle. Note the capitalized “A” in the word. The argument hinges on her being one of the group who held the office of Apostle. In other words, she was like Peter or Paul and held a position of authority over men in the church. The position alleges that, as a result, female leadership must have been an accepted part of the early church. Therefore, it should be accepted today as well. Many allege that misogynistic men took over the church after the early church period. They also claim these men covered up the early female leaders. They will often then jump off from these claims and alleged that others like Phoebe. Lydia, and Chloe held similar positions of leadership, which were also lost to history.
There are many glaring problems with this argument, but the biggest lies with its foundation. Regardless of how you read Romans 16:7, it is undeniable that Junia did not hold the office of Apostle. The Bible records the identity of the Apostles on multiple occasions:
15. Matthew 10:2-4
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
16. Luke 6:12-16
1Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.
The names of the Apostles are listed, but more importantly for this question, so is the number of them, 12. God also makes clear that this number is limited for all eternity:
17. Revelation 21:14
Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
God only recognizes 12 who are legitimate Apostles of the Lamb. The list of those who held the specific leadership office is clear. It served as the foundation of the church and does not include Junia. Proponents of this position can tie your brain up in knots over the exact reading of the Romans passage. However, it is ultimately irrelevant. It cannot add anyone to the 12 Apostles of the Lamb.
So why is the word apostle in the passage?
The word that is translated as apostle was a normal word in the ancient Greek language. If you look it up, it refers to someone or something sent on a specific mission or with a message. It appears in multiple verses in the New Testament having nothing to do with the office of Apostle. Instead, it refers to disciples sent out with a message, usually the Gospel. This is done for a specific purpose. Both Barnabas and Titus, who are both clearly not Apostles, the office, are referred to apostles in different verses. This kind of apostle does not have the authority or position of the office of Apostle. Instead, he or she resembles what you would call a missionary.
As a result, this passage has no impact on the question of female pastors or church leaders.
“What About Her” Arguments Continued
18. Romans 16:1-2
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
19. Acts 16:14-15
Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
20. Acts 18:24-26
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
21. Judges 4:4-7
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand’?”
Phoebe, Lydia, Deborah, and Priscilla are wonderful examples of faithful followers of God and who did great things for Him. Men and women have much to learn from them and Jesus deeply loves and appreciated their works. However, their stories don’t actually bear on the issue of women as pastors and leaders of the New Testament church. None of them are shown to be pastor or elder in the church. The one that is the closest to applying is Priscilla. However, the Bible says only that she worked with her husband to explain the entire Gospel to Apollos. This is obviously valuable, but it is something everyone is called to do.
All of these women were wonderful has a powerful impact on the Kingdom. Their stories don’t don’t contradict Paul or really speak on the issue, one way or the other.
Jesus Loves, Values, Empowers, and Defends Women
22. Luke 7:44-50
Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
This story presents a stark contrast. In it, Jesus makes a woman the star. The man becomes the villain. Jewish society viewed this sinful woman as lesser than them, worthless, and beneath their contempt. Simon the Pharisee is disgusted by her and disdainful towards Jesus because of His acceptance of her worship. This was the world’s way of treating women down on their luck…and men, for that matter.
Yet, what does Jesus do?
Jesus welcomes her, appreciates her, loves her, forgives her, and defends her. This is Jesus’ heart toward women. He sees their low position in that society. He joins them in it. Then He lifts them out of it into the Kingdom with Him. Jesus then uses them mightily. If you examine the Bible closely and ignore titles, you often see the women of Jesus showing the most faith. They serve Jesus in ways that put the men to shame. The women are often the heroes of the story, where the men are the ones who falter.
Awesome Women as the Stars of God’s Wonderful Word
23. John 19:25-27
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
24. Mark 16:1-5
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
25. Matthew 27:55-56
And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
26. Mark 15:40-41
There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.
27. John 12:3-8
Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.
All of Jesus’ disciples, male and female, have the opportunity to play a role in His ministry. They can be part of the story of the plan of redemption in each of these examples. The most prominent male disciples in all of Christian history, like Peter, John, and James, could have trusted Jesus. They could have followed Him to the Cross. They had the chance to be there in the morning as the first to see the Risen Lord. They could have anointed Jesus with oil for His upcoming death and burial.
Instead of doing so, these guys denied Him, ran away, hid in the Upper Room, and generally failed miserably.
In contrast, Jesus sees these wonderful women of God at the foot of the Cross. They show up first at His tomb in the early morning. They anoint His body for burial. They are privileged to be the first to see Jesus. Then they bring the news that He is Risen. Their faith is wonderful and their ministries are important and blessed blessed by God. They are not Apostles. However, they do not miss out on opportunities to serve. They know Jesus intimately. They change the world for Him. Jesus does not discriminate against them or devalue them. He does not keep them from wonderful privileges in His work based on their sex.
Jesus perfectly loves women and uses them powerfully in His Kingdom. They are no better and no worse than His male disciples. Jesus does have jobs for them that are different than the ones that He has for men, but they are just as wonderful.
