Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
Different explanations have been given of this name; but the most natural is that she came from the town of Magdala. ” All appear to have occupied a position of comparative wealth. ” 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.
(John 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, (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55) when she, with Salome and Mary the mother of James, “bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint” the body. (Mark 16:1) The next morning accordingly. in the earliest dawn, (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2) they came with Mary the mother of James to the sepulchre. ” (Matthew 28:5; Mark 16:6) To her first of all Jesus appeared after his resurrection.
(John 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 (Luke 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.