



This Week's Reading: Easter
Come Follow Me Insight #1

Was Jesus’ trial illegal?
You guys, I can’t even with this insight. It makes me so mad. I do NOT have a potty mouth, but when I read about Jesus’ trial, I get so close to swearing. So prepare yourself to feel SOOOO annoyed.
You see, Jesus’ trial wasn’t just morally wrong; it was one million percent (yes, one MILLION percent!) illegal. I’ll link to some resources with full details (be prepared to fume!), but here’s the short version:
- Jesus’ trial was held at night. (Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4:1)
- False witnesses were used. (Deuteronomy 19:18-19)
- There were no impartial judges. (Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4:1)
- His trial was too short. (Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4:1)
- The trial was held in a house. (Maimonides, 14)
- Jesus’ words condemned Him. (Maimonides, 4:2)
- Jesus’ defense wasn’t considered. (Deuteronomy 13:14)
Come Follow Me Insight #2
Is Judas a son of perdition?
John 17:12 and 3 Nephi 27:32 both refer to Judas (in a roundabout, side-eye kind of way) as “the son of perdition.” So is Judas doomed to eternity in outer darkness? Probably not.
Let’s look at one quote that explains why the scriptures would refer to Judas as “perdition”: “[Judas] was probably not a son of perdition in the sense of one who is damned forever, but in the sense that he was a son or follower of Satan in this life.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1976), 1:765. See also McConkie, Mortal Messiah, 4:112–13.)
So, in this case, “son of perdition” seems to mean “follower of Satan.”
As further evidence of why Judas— despite his horrific betrayal– would still not be considered a true son of perdition, let’s read this quote from Joseph F. Smith:
“To my mind it strongly appears that not one of the disciples possessed sufficient light, knowledge, or wisdom, at the time of the crucifixion, for either exaltation or condemnation. . .
Did Judas possess this light, this witness, this Comforter, this baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, this endowment from on high? If he did, he received it before the betrayal, and therefore before the other eleven apostles. . . .” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1939), 433–35; emphasis added. See also John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1960), 212–14.)

My Favorite Scriptures for the Week
- Sunday: Jesus enters triumphantly into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:8)
- Monday: Jesus cleanses the temple (Matthew 21:12-13)
- Tuesday: Jesus teaches in Jerusalem (Matthew 21:42)
- Wednesday: The conspiracy to kill Jesus assisted by Judas (Matthew 26:3-5, 14-16)
- Thursday: The Last Supper and suffering in Gethsemane (Luke 22:14-38; Matthew 26:36-46)
- Friday: Jesus put on trial, condemned, crucified, and buried (Matthew 27:24)
- Saturday: Christ ministers in the spirit world (Doctrine and Covenants 138:16-19)
- Sunday: Jesus Christ is resurrected and appears to Mary, other women, and His disciples (Matthew 28:6-8)

One Minute History
Looking for more help in understanding the New Testament?
Grab my New Testament Story Outline for FREE!
