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.)