The treacherous exposing or deceiving of people by those they formerly trusted. It is usually associated with an enemy masquerading as a friend, or with a broken or abused relationship. Betrayal was suffered by Jesus Christ and can be expected by his followers.
Betrayal is part of human experience
Examples of those experiencing betrayal
Psalm 41:9 See also Judges 16:18; 1 Samuel 18:17; 2 Samuel 19:26–27; Psalm 55:12–14 Betrayal carries acute feelings for its victims; Jeremiah 12:6; Lamentations 1:2, Lamentations 1:19
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
Examples of those murdered through betrayal
The power struggles of Israel's early kingship period gave rise to many bloody betrayals: 2 Samuel 3:27, 2 Samuel 4:6, 2 Samuel 11:15, 2 Samuel 13:28–29, 2 Samuel 20:10; 1 Kings 21:8–10
Betrayal is seen as a particularly wicked act
Isaiah 33:1 See also 1 Chronicles 12:17; Proverbs 25:9–10; Isaiah 24:16–17; Matthew 26:24 parallels Mark 14:21, Luke 22:22
Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.
The betrayal of Jesus Christ
Judas determines to betray Jesus Christ
Matthew 26:14–16 parallels Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:3–6
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Jesus Christ's knowledge of events
Matthew 26:21–23 parallel Mark 14:18–20 See also Matthew 20:17–19 parallel Mark 10:33–34; Luke 22:21; John 13:11, John 13:18; Psalm 41:9; John 13:21–27
And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me.
Jesus Christ is betrayed by a kiss
Matthew 26:47–49 parallels Mark 14:43–45, Luke 22:47–48 The kiss featured in several betrayals as part of feigned friendship (see e.g., 2 Samuel 20:9–10 and Proverbs 27:6).
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
The betrayer's remorse
When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Betrayal may be part of Christian experience
Matthew 10:21 parallels Mark 13:12, Luke 21:16 See also Daniel 7:25; Matthew 10:35–36; Micah 7:6
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
Betrayal as a sign of the end times
God never betrays those who trust in him
Psalm 89:33 See also Psalm 118:8, Psalm 125:1; Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 26:3–4; 2 Timothy 1:12
But I will not withdraw My loving devotion from him, nor ever betray My faithfulness.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.