Overview
The Bible addresses betrayal across 31 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Samuel, Matthew and Luke. Closely related themes include Traitor, Nob, Gethsemane and Tabernacle. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Ahimelech, Jesus and Saul.
Key Bible verses about betrayal
Old Testament
Judges
And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.
And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.
1 Samuel
Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. present: Heb. found
And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.
And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. yea: or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel
So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
New Testament
Matthew
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Mark
Luke
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. in the: or, without tumult
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
People in the Bible and betrayal
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying betrayal for yourself
- Begin with Judges 1:24, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 1 Samuel, Matthew and Luke each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of David, Ahimelech and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Traitor, Nob, Gethsemane and Tabernacle.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about betrayal?
The Bible addresses betrayal across 31 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Samuel, Matthew and Luke. Closely related themes include Traitor, Nob, Gethsemane and Tabernacle. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Ahimelech, Jesus and Saul.
How many Bible verses are about betrayal?
The Bible references betrayal in 31 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention betrayal?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Judges 1:24: “And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with betrayal?
David, Ahimelech, Jesus, Saul and Judas Iscariot.
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