Betrayal is one of the most painful experiences anyone can go through. It can come from a close friend, a family member, or someone you deeply trust. The Bible addresses this deeply emotional issue, showing how God comforts, heals, and restores those who have been betrayed. Through various passages, we see that betrayal is not new, even Jesus Himself was betrayed.
In this article, we’ll look at 50 Bible verses about betrayal that reveal God’s perspective, help you find strength in difficult times, and guide you on how to handle the pain of being let down by others.
What Is Betrayal According to the Bible?
Betrayal is an act of deceit or disloyalty by someone you trust. It often involves broken promises, lies, or actions that cause deep emotional harm. In the Bible, betrayal is portrayed as a serious sin, one that destroys relationships and leads to sorrow. From Judas betraying Jesus to Joseph being sold by his brothers, betrayal has appeared throughout Scripture as a test of faith and forgiveness.
Examples of Betrayal in the Bible
The Bible records several painful stories of betrayal that show how deceitful human hearts can be but also how God turns such moments into redemption and purpose.
- Judas Iscariot and Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16) – Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, proving that greed can drive people to destroy even divine trust.
- Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37:18-28) – Joseph’s brothers betrayed him out of jealousy, selling him into slavery, yet God later used that betrayal for a greater purpose.
- Delilah and Samson (Judges 16:15-21) – Delilah deceived Samson by revealing the secret of his strength to the Philistines, leading to his downfall.
- David and Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31) – Ahithophel, one of David’s trusted advisors, betrayed him by joining Absalom’s rebellion.
- Peter’s Denial of Jesus (Luke 22:54-62) – Although Peter loved Jesus, fear led him to deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.
Each of these examples teaches that betrayal can come from anyone but God always provides strength and restoration for those who remain faithful.
Punishment for Betrayal in the Bible
The Bible makes it clear that betrayal carries consequences. Judas, who betrayed Jesus, later felt deep remorse and ended his own life (Matthew 27:3-5). Ahithophel, who betrayed King David, also met a tragic end by taking his life (2 Samuel 17:23). These stories show that deceit leads to destruction.
God’s Word teaches that those who betray others will face His justice:
- Galatians 6:7 reminds us that “a man reaps what he sows.”
- Proverbs 19:5 warns that “a false witness will not go unpunished.”
- Matthew 26:24 declares, “Woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man.”
While forgiveness is possible, unrepentant betrayal separates a person from God’s favor. True repentance and humility are the only ways to escape the spiritual consequences of betrayal.
50 Bible Verses About Betrayal
Below are 50 Bible verses about betrayal to help you find healing, forgiveness, and strength through God’s Word.
- Genesis 37:28 – “So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.”
- Psalm 41:9 – “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.”
- Proverbs 19:5 – “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”
- Psalm 55:12-14 – “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; but it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend.”
- Job 19:19 – “All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me.”
- Proverbs 25:19 – “Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.”
- Micah 7:5-6 – “Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips.”
- Psalm 109:4-5 – “In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.”
- Jeremiah 12:6 – “Your relatives, members of your own family, even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you.”
- Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
- Matthew 26:48-49 – “Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.”
- Luke 22:3-4 – “Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.”
- John 13:21 – “After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.’”
- Luke 22:47-48 – “While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’”
- Mark 14:18 – “While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’”
- John 18:2 – “Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.”
- Matthew 10:21 – “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.”
- Luke 12:53 – “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
- 2 Timothy 3:2-4 – “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
- Romans 1:29-30 – “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters.”
- Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
- Romans 12:19 – “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
- Matthew 5:44 – “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
- Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
- Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
- 1 Peter 2:23 – “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
- Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
- Proverbs 24:29 – “Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.’”
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
- Psalm 118:8 – “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.”
- Jeremiah 17:5 – “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- Isaiah 26:4 – “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”
- Psalm 37:5-6 – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn.”
- Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
- Psalm 62:8 – “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
- Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”
- Psalm 9:10 – “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
- Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
- Deuteronomy 32:35 – “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near.”
- Psalm 37:12-13 – “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.”
- Romans 12:21 – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
- Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
- Hebrews 10:30 – “For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’”
- Proverbs 21:15 – “When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”
- Psalm 94:23 – “He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.”
- Matthew 26:24 – “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
- Revelation 21:8 – “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars, they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
- Luke 6:27-28 – “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
How to Overcome the Pain of Betrayal
If you’ve been betrayed, the Bible encourages you to let go of bitterness and allow God to heal your heart. Here’s how:
- Forgive, even when it’s hard. (Matthew 6:14-15)
- Pray for strength and peace. (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Let God fight your battles. (Exodus 14:14)
- Remember that God restores. (Joel 2:25)
- Stay anchored in God’s promises. (Isaiah 40:31)
Conclusion
Betrayal may break your trust, but it can never break God’s plan for your life. The Bible verses about betrayal remind us that God sees our pain and promises justice for those who are wronged. Whether you’re struggling to forgive someone who deceived you or trying to heal from emotional wounds, remember that God is your refuge and healer.
Just like Joseph, Jesus, and David, your betrayal can become the stepping stone for God’s greater purpose in your life. Stay faithful, forgive from your heart, and trust God to restore your peace.
Read also: 50 Powerful Warfare Prayer Points for the Church with Scriptures