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Mary Magdalene: Different explanations have been given of this name; but the most natural is that she came from the town of Magdala. She appears before us for the first time in Lu 8:2 among the women who "ministered unto him of their substance." All appear to have occupied a position of comparative wealth. With all the chief motive was that of gratitude for their deliverance from "evil spirits and infirmities." Of Mary it is said specially that "seven devils went out of her," and the number indicates a possession of more than ordinary malignity. She was present during the closing hours of the agony on the cross. Joh 19:25 She remained by the cross till all was over, and waited till the body was taken down and placed in the garden sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathaea, Mt 27:61; Mr 15:47; Lu 23:55 when she, with Salome and Mary the mother of James, "bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint" the body. Mr 16:1 The next morning accordingly. in the earliest dawn, Mt 28:1; Mr 16:2 they came with Mary the mother of James to the sepulchre. Mary Magdalene had been to the tomb and had found it empty, and had seen the "vision of angels." Mt 28:5; Mr 16:6 To her first of all Jesus appeared after his resurrection. Joh 20:14,15 Mary Magdalene has become the type of a class of repentant sinners; but there is no authority for identifying her with the "sinner" who anointed the feet of Jesus in Lu 7:36-50 neither is there any authority for the supposition that Mary Magdalene is the same as the sister of Lazarus. Neither of these theories has the slightest foundation in fact.
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