40 Bible Verses About Betrayal

Bibleandprayers

3 weeks ago

Betrayal is one of the most painful experiences anyone can endure. It cuts deep, especially when it comes from someone close. The Bible doesn’t shy away from this harsh reality. Instead, it provides both comfort and wisdom for those who have been wounded by betrayal. Whether you’ve been betrayed by a friend, family member, or even a fellow believer, Scripture offers guidance and healing. In this post, we’ll share 40 Bible verses about betrayal to help you process your pain through a biblical lens.

What Does the Bible Say About Betrayal?

The Bible does not ignore the reality of betrayal. In fact, many key figures in Scripture faced betrayal at the hands of those closest to them. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, betrayal is portrayed as a grievous sin. From Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery to Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus is perhaps the most well-known example, illustrating the extent to which betrayal can harm.

Betrayal in the Bible is not treated lightly. Proverbs warns against unfaithfulness, Psalms express the heartache of being turned on by a close companion, and Jesus Himself speaks of betrayal with sorrow. The underlying message is that betrayal breaks trust and damages relationships in profound ways.

Also, the Bible teaches that while betrayal is devastating, it’s not the end of the story. God sees the injustice and will ultimately bring healing and justice. Believers are encouraged to respond not with revenge, but with wisdom, forgiveness, and trust in God’s righteous judgment.

Punishment for Betrayal in Bible

Scripture also speaks to the consequences of betrayal. While God offers forgiveness to the repentant, there are often earthly consequences for betraying others. For instance:

Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:3-5) suffered intense remorse and ultimately took his own life.
Absalom betrayed his father David, leading to war and eventually his own death (2 Samuel 18:9-15).
Delilah’s betrayal of Samson led to his capture and suffering (Judges 16:18-21).

These stories illustrate that while betrayal may offer short-term gain, it often leads to long-term destruction. The Bible encourages accountability, repentance, and reconciliation, while also warning that betrayal can carry severe consequences.

40 Bible Verses About Betrayal

Here are 40 carefully selected Bible verses about betrayal. These scriptures offer encouragement, insight, and the reassurance that God is still in control.

Psalm 41:9 “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.”
Proverbs 19:5 “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.”
Matthew 26:48-49 “Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.’ And he came up to Jesus at once and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ And he kissed him.”
Luke 22:3-4 “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.”
2 Timothy 3:1-4 “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty… treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Psalm 55:12-14 “For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it… But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.”
John 13:21 “After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’”
Zechariah 11:12-13 “So they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver… the lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—the handsome price at which they valued me!”
Mark 14:10-11 “Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.”
Proverbs 25:9-10 “Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret.”
Romans 12:17 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”
John 13:27 “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.”
Job 19:19 “All my intimate friends abhor me, and those whom I loved have turned against me.”
Psalm 109:4-5 “In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.”
Proverbs 11:13 “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.”
Matthew 24:10 “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.”
Genesis 37:28 “Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him…”
Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
Psalm 55:21 “His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.”
1 Samuel 18:11 “And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, ‘I will pin David to the wall.’ But David evaded him twice.”
2 Samuel 15:31 “And it was told David, ‘Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.’ And David said, ‘O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
Jeremiah 9:4 “Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver…”
Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Micah 7:5 “Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth.”
John 18:5 “They answered him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am he.’ Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.”
Psalm 118:8 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 “There are six things that the Lord hates… a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
Psalm 28:3 “Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.”
1 Kings 2:5 “Moreover, you also know what Joab… did to me—how he dealt with the two commanders… whom he killed.”
Matthew 26:25 “Judas, who would betray him, answered, ‘Is it I, Rabbi?’ He said to him, ‘You have said so.’”
Romans 1:29-30 “They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness… haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil…”
Psalm 101:7 “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
Luke 22:21-22 “But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.”
Acts 7:52 “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced… the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered.”
Matthew 10:21 “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents…”
Psalm 35:12-13 “They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft. But I, when they were sick—I wore sackcloth…”
John 6:70-71 “Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 “Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.”
Psalm 37:1-2 “Fret not yourself because of evildoers… for they will soon fade like the grass.”

Conclusion

Betrayal hurts, but you’re not alone. Scripture reminds us that even Jesus faced betrayal, and He understands your pain. These 40 Bible verses about betrayal offer a powerful reminder that God sees, knows, and will ultimately bring justice. As you reflect on these passages, let your heart be encouraged and your faith restored.

Let the Word be your anchor, and choose forgiveness while trusting God’s judgment.