Betrayal is one of the most painful experiences a person can face. It cuts deep into the heart, leaving wounds that can take a long time to heal. As Christians, we can find comfort and guidance in God’s Word, which speaks extensively about betrayal. The Bible reminds us that Jesus Himself experienced betrayal, and through His example, we learn how to respond to those who wrong us. God calls us to trust in Him, even when people fail us, and to seek His strength to forgive and move forward.
Betrayal often reveals the fragile nature of human relationships. It can come from a close friend, a family member, or even someone we trust deeply. Yet, the Bible offers hope, reminding us that God never leaves or forsakes us. His promises are unchanging, and His love remains steadfast, even in our darkest moments.
Below are Scripture verses that provide insight and encouragement on handling betrayal in a godly way.
Preachers Quotes
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” – C.S. Lewis
“When you feel betrayed, remember that Christ was betrayed first and overcame it with love.” – Charles Spurgeon
“Forgiveness does not excuse betrayal; it frees you from bitterness.” – Corrie ten Boom
“Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, yet He still washed his feet. That’s the kind of love we are called to show.” – Max Lucado
“Betrayal hurts, but trusting God’s justice will always bring peace to your soul.” – Billy Graham
“When others let you down, lean on the One who will never betray you.” – D.L. Moody
“Every betrayal brings an opportunity to learn to love like Christ.” – Rick Warren
You might also be interested in: Bible verses about Commitment
Bible Verses About Betrayal
Psalm 55:12-14 – Betrayal by a close companion.
“For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in the throng.” – Psalm 55:12-14
Matthew 26:14-16 – Judas agrees to betray Jesus.
“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” – Matthew 26:14-16
John 13:21 – Jesus predicts His betrayal.
“When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’” – John 13:21
Proverbs 25:9-10 – Betraying confidence causes shame.
“Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another; lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined.” – Proverbs 25:9-10
Luke 22:48 – Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss.
“But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’” – Luke 22:48
Psalm 41:9 – Betrayal by a close friend.
“Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” – Psalm 41:9
2 Timothy 4:16 – Feeling abandoned by others.
“At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.” – 2 Timothy 4:16
Proverbs 11:13 – A gossip betrays trust.
“A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” – Proverbs 11:13
Matthew 27:3-4 – Judas regrets his betrayal.
“Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!’” – Matthew 27:3-4
Romans 12:19 – Trust God for justice.
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” – Romans 12:19
Micah 7:5-6 – Betrayal within families.
“Do not trust in a friend; do not put your confidence in a companion; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom. For son dishonors father, daughter rises against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own household.” – Micah 7:5-6
Genesis 37:28 – Joseph betrayed by his brothers.
“Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.” – Genesis 37:28
Psalm 118:8 – Trust in God over man.
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” – Psalm 118:8
Jeremiah 12:6 – Family members may betray you.
“For even your brothers, the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yes, they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, even though they speak smooth words to you.” – Jeremiah 12:6
Mark 14:10-11 – Judas seeks to betray Jesus.
“Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.” – Mark 14:10-11
Job 19:19 – Friends turning against you.
“All my close friends abhor me, and those whom I love have turned against me.” – Job 19:19
Matthew 10:21 – Betrayal during trials.
“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.” – Matthew 10:21
Proverbs 20:6 – Faithful friends are rare.
“Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?” – Proverbs 20:6
Luke 21:16 – Betrayal for Christ’s sake.
“You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.” – Luke 21:16
Exodus 21:14 – Intentional betrayal is punished.
“But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.” – Exodus 21:14
1 Peter 2:23 – Jesus entrusted Himself to God.
“Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” – 1 Peter 2:23
Proverbs 17:9 – Love covers offenses.
“He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
Zechariah 11:12-13 – Thirty pieces of silver prophecy.
“Then I said to them, ‘If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.’ So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter.” – Zechariah 11:12-13
Isaiah 53:3 – Jesus was despised and rejected.
“He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” – Isaiah 53:3
Acts 7:52 – Betrayal of the prophets.
“Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers.” – Acts 7:52
Psalm 27:10 – God remains faithful.
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.” – Psalm 27:10
Matthew 26:25 – Judas denies betrayal.
“Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, ‘Rabbi, is it I?’ He said to him, ‘You have said it.’” – Matthew 26:25
Proverbs 16:28 – Betrayal causes division.
“A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
Hebrews 13:5 – God will never leave you.
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” – Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 31:14 – Trust in God despite betrayal.
“But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” – Psalm 31:14
James 4:4 – Friendship with the world is betrayal of God.
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” – James 4:4
Matthew 5:11-12 – Rejoice when betrayed for Christ’s sake.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12
Psalm 34:18 – God is close to the brokenhearted.
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
Matthew 26:49-50 – Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss.
“Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, why have you come?’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.” – Matthew 26:49-50
Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend can be trusted.
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” – Proverbs 27:6
Galatians 6:7 – God cannot be mocked.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” – Galatians 6:7
Psalm 37:5-6 – Trust God to bring justice.
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” – Psalm 37:5-6
John 15:13 – No greater love than laying down one’s life.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” – John 15:13
Isaiah 41:10 – God strengthens and helps you.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
If you’re interested, here’s another article on: Bible verses about Enemies
What does the Bible say about Betrayal
Betrayal is one of the most painful experiences a person can face. It happens when someone you trust turns against you, breaking that trust and leaving you feeling hurt and rejected. The Bible speaks a lot about betrayal, and through its stories and teachings, we learn how to understand and respond to it. One of the most well-known betrayals in the Bible is when Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. This act reminds us that even those closest to us can fail, but it also points us to God’s bigger plan and His power to use even painful situations for good.
The Bible reminds us that betrayal is not new. It happened to people like Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy. It happened to King David, who was betrayed by his close advisor Ahithophel and even by his own son Absalom. These examples show that betrayal often comes from people we trust or love the most, making it even harder to bear. But the Bible also teaches us that we are not alone in these moments of pain. God sees our suffering and offers His comfort and healing.
Jesus experienced betrayal on a deeper level than anyone else. Judas, one of His chosen twelve, handed Him over to His enemies. Peter, another disciple, denied knowing Him three times. Yet Jesus responded with love, forgiveness, and trust in God’s plan. His example shows us how to deal with betrayal in a way that honors God. Instead of holding on to anger or seeking revenge, we are called to forgive, just as God forgives us.
The Bible also teaches us to be careful with our own hearts. Proverbs warns against being a person who spreads secrets or causes division. Betrayal is not just something that happens to us—it’s something we can cause if we are not careful to live in honesty and love. God calls us to be faithful and trustworthy, reflecting His character in our relationships.
In times of betrayal, the Bible encourages us to turn to God. He promises to never leave us or forsake us, even when people do. He is our refuge, our strength, and our healer. Though betrayal hurts, God’s love is greater, and His grace is enough to carry us through.