Betrayal cuts deeper than any other wound because it comes from someone you trusted. The person you confided in exposed your secrets. The friend you supported stabbed you in the back. The spouse you committed to broke their vows. The business partner you believed in took advantage of you.
The pain isn’t just about what they did but about who did it. You trusted them with access to your life, and they used that access to harm you. Now you’re dealing with the wound, the shock, and the question of whether you’ll ever trust anyone again.
Jesus understands betrayal intimately. He was betrayed by Judas, someone in His inner circle who ate with Him, traveled with Him, and then sold Him out for thirty pieces of silver.
These verses reveal that betrayal has been part of the human experience since the beginning, that God sees your pain and will bring justice, and that healing is possible even when trust has been shattered. Your betrayal doesn’t have the final word. God does.
Bible Verses About Betrayal
1. Psalm 41:9 – Even My Close Friend Has Turned Against Me
Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Psalm 55:12-14 – If an Enemy Were Insulting Me
If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.
New International Version (NIV)
3. Matthew 26:49-50 – Judas, Are You Betraying the Son of Man?
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
New International Version (NIV)
4. Proverbs 11:13 – A Gossip Betrays a Confidence
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
New International Version (NIV)
5. 2 Samuel 15:12 – Absalom’s Conspiracy Gained Strength
While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.
New International Version (NIV)
6. Psalm 55:20-21 – His Talk Is Smooth as Butter
My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
New International Version (NIV)
7. Proverbs 25:19 – Like a Broken Tooth or a Lame Foot
Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
New International Version (NIV)
8. Micah 7:5-6 – Do Not Trust a Neighbor
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. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
New International Version (NIV)
9. John 13:21 – One of You Will Betray Me
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.”
New International Version (NIV)
10. Psalm 109:5 – They Repay Me Evil for Good
They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.
New International Version (NIV)
11. 2 Timothy 4:10 – Demas Has Deserted Me
For Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
New International Version (NIV)
12. Proverbs 20:19 – A Gossip Betrays a Confidence
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
New International Version (NIV)
13. Matthew 10:21 – Brother Will Betray Brother to Death
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
New International Version (NIV)
14. Psalm 35:11-12 – They Repay Me Evil for Good
Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.
New International Version (NIV)
15. 2 Samuel 16:20-21 – Absalom Took His Father’s Concubines
Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?” Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.”
New International Version (NIV)
16. Luke 22:48 – Judas, Are You Betraying the Son of Man With a Kiss?
But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
New International Version (NIV)
17. Jeremiah 9:4-5 – Every Friend Is a Deceiver
Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.
New International Version (NIV)
18. Obadiah 1:7 – Your Allies Will Deceive You
All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and overpower you; those who eat your bread will set a trap for you, but you will not detect it.
New International Version (NIV)
19. Psalm 7:4 – If I Have Repaid My Ally With Evil
If I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe.
New International Version (NIV)
20. 2 Samuel 13:28-29 – Strike Amnon Down
Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.
New International Version (NIV)
21. Mark 14:44-45 – The One I Kiss Is the Man
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.
New International Version (NIV)
22. Psalm 69:8 – I Am a Foreigner to My Own Family
I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children.
New International Version (NIV)
23. Job 19:19 – All My Intimate Friends Detest Me
All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me.
New International Version (NIV)
24. 2 Timothy 4:16 – No One Came to My Support
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
New International Version (NIV)
25. Genesis 37:28 – His Brothers Sold Him
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.
New International Version (NIV)
26. 1 Samuel 22:8 – All of You Have Conspired Against Me
Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.
New International Version (NIV)
27. Psalm 38:11 – My Friends Stay Away From My Wounds
My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.
New International Version (NIV)
28. Matthew 26:56 – Then All the Disciples Deserted Him
But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
New International Version (NIV)
29. Psalm 31:11 – I Am the Utter Contempt of My Neighbors
Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends—those who see me on the street flee from me.
New International Version (NIV)
30. John 13:18 – He Who Shared My Bread Has Turned Against Me
I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: “He who shared my bread has turned against me.”
New International Version (NIV)
31. 2 Samuel 15:31 – Ahithophel Is Among the Conspirators
Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
New International Version (NIV)
32. Lamentations 1:2 – All Her Friends Have Betrayed Her
Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are on her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.
New International Version (NIV)
33. Psalm 88:8 – You Have Taken from Me My Closest Friends
You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape.
New International Version (NIV)
34. Proverbs 17:9 – Whoever Repeats the Matter Separates Close Friends
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
New International Version (NIV)
35. Acts 1:16-17 – Judas Was One of Our Number
Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.
New International Version (NIV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Betrayal
Betrayal is uniquely painful because it violates trust, and trust is the foundation of every meaningful relationship. What makes betrayal in Scripture so striking is that it happens to the most faithful people. David was betrayed by his son Absalom and his trusted advisor Ahithophel.
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers. Jesus was betrayed by Judas. If betrayal happened to them, it will happen to us. The question isn’t whether we’ll experience betrayal but how we’ll respond when we do.
The consistent pattern in Scripture is that God sees betrayal, He will bring justice, and He can redeem what was meant to harm you. Joseph told his brothers, who betrayed him, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”
That doesn’t minimize the pain or excuse their actions. It recognizes that God is sovereign even over betrayal. Your healing doesn’t depend on the person who betrayed you apologizing, changing, or even acknowledging what they did. It depends on you releasing them to God’s justice, refusing to let bitterness destroy you, and trusting that God can bring purpose from your pain.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, the betrayal I’ve experienced has shattered my trust and left me questioning everything. The person I trusted used that trust to harm me, and the pain runs deeper than I can express. I feel broken, angry, and unsure if I’ll ever trust anyone again.
I’m bringing this betrayal to You because I can’t carry it anymore. You know what it’s like to be betrayed by someone close to You. You understand this pain in ways no one else can. Help me to release this person to Your justice instead of seeking my own revenge.
Heal the wound they created. Don’t let their betrayal turn me bitter, cynical, or unable to trust again. Help me to forgive for my sake, not because they deserve it, but because You’ve forgiven me. Show me how to set healthy boundaries without building walls that keep everyone out.
Redeem what was meant to harm me. Bring purpose from this pain. Restore what was stolen. Help me to trust again when the time is right and give me wisdom to know who deserves that trust.
In Jesus’ Healing Name, Amen.