MARY Magdalen followed Christ in the last journey that he made from Galilee to Jerusalem, and was at the foot of the cross with the holy virgin (John xix. 25. Mark xv. 47.). After which she returned to Jerusalem to buy and prepare the perfumes, that she might embalm him after the sabbath was over which was then about to begin. All the sabbath day she remained in the city; and the next day early in the morning she went to the sepulchre, along with Mary the mother of James and Salome (Mark xvi. 1, 2. Luke xxiv. 1, 2.). On the way, they inquired of one another, who should take away the stone from the mouth of the sepulchre, and were sensible of a great earthquake. This was the token of our Saviour's resurrection. Being come to his tomb, they saw two angels, who informed them that Jesus was risen. Upon this Mary Magdalen runs immediately to Jerusalem, and acquaints the apostles with this good news, returning herself to the sepulchre. Peter and John came also, and were witnesses that the body was no longer there. They returned: but Mary stayed, and stooping forward to examine the inside of the tomb, she there saw two angels sitting, one at the head and the other at the foot of the tomb; and immediately afterwards, upon turning about, she beheld the Lord himself. She would have cast herself at his feet to kiss them. But Jesus said to her, "Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father." As if he had said, "You shall have leisure to see me hereafter; go now to my brethren, my apostles, and tell them, I am going to ascend to my God and to their God, to my Father and to their Father." Thus had Mary the happiness of first seeing our Saviour after his resurrection. (See Math. xxviii. 5, &c. Mark xvi. 6, &c. John xx. 11, 17.)
She returned then to Jerusalem, and told the apostles that she had seen the Lord, that she had spoken to him, and told them what he had said to her. But at first they did not believe her, till her report was confirmed by many other testimonies.—This is what the gospel informs us concerning Mary Magdalen, different from Mary the sister of Martha, though she has been often called by this name. For as to the pretended History of Mary Magdalen, which is said to have been written in Hebrew by Marcella servant of Martha; this can only relate to Mary sister of Martha, and besides is a mere piece of imposture.