Were the women close or far from the cross? 
Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49; John 19:25
    

1. At a distance from the cross
   1. (Matthew 27:55-56) - "And many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him."
   2. (Mark 15:40) - "And there were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome."
   3. (Luke 23:49) - "And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee, were standing at a distance, seeing these things."
2. Close to the cross
   1. (John 19:25) - "Therefore the soldiers did these things. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene."

     This is no contradiction at all.  Quite simply, at one point in the crucifixion chronology, the women were standing at a distance and then later, they were standing closer.  You can check the chronology at the Crucifixion Chronology page.