“He Had Done No Evil”

D. Kelly Ogden, Andrew C. Skinner

We read that his death was with the wicked (he was crucified between two thieves; see Matthew 27:38), and he was with the rich in his grave (he was buried in the borrowed grave of wealthy Joseph of Arimathea; see Matthew 27:57–60).

This verse may give us insight into why the leaders of the Jews wanted to kill Jesus. Isaiah wrote, “He had done no violence [Abinadi: “no evil”], neither was any deceit in his mouth.” Few things can stir up anger in the unrighteous as much as a good example. Recall Laman and Lemuel. Why didn’t Laman and Lemuel just get up one morning and make the hike back to Jerusalem? Why was their incessant effort to kill Lehi and Nephi and then go back to Jerusalem? They knew that their father and brother were telling the truth, and they were angry because of it. They were jealous and envious and proud. Some of the Jewish leaders had the same problem with Jesus. No one welcomed them into the city by throwing down palm fronds in their path. Nobody was being healed by them. There were no great crowds flocking around them to hang on their every word. Something had to be done about this righteous person who always spoke the truth. They had him crucified.

Verse by Verse: The Book of Mormon: Vol. 1

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