What the scriptures tell us of Mary Magdalene

The Bible introduces Mary of Magdala to us for the first time in

Mark 15:40
There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome.

We of course know that this was not Jesus's first meeting with Mary Magdalene due to

Luke 8:1-2:
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils.

We do not know how Jesus became aware of Mary and her need. However, taken in conjuction with the next scripture

John 6:42-44
42 And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, ‘I came down from Heaven’?”
43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, “Murmur not among yourselves.
44 No man can come to Me unless the Father who hath sent Me draw him; and I will raise him up at the Last Day.

It is evident that she was called. Additionally we are called. How do we know?

Matthew 11:14-15
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elijah, who was to come.
15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The next scripture that mentions her by name occurs at the crucifixion.

John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

Although the scriptures do not say so it is reasonable to deduce that the men fled for their lives but the women would have seemed a lesser threat to the Romans. It can also be surmised they stayed with him out of great love for him.

Matthew 27:59-61
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

John 20:16-18
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Things that can be taken from these 2 scripture passages are that first of all, even after death Mary was not willing to be far from Jesus. What it doesn't say is that she was weeping, or wailing, or morning. Is that an oversite of Matthew and John? Or is it possible she was counting on his promise that he would be back.

Something else is an explanation for why Mary is called the Apostle to the Apostles. She was the first to see Jesus when he returned. He charged her with going to the others and announcing his return. This then demonstrates that Mary of Magdalene was held in high esteem. If she wasn't going to be believed, why would he send her?