The theme of betrayal, often termed as “backstabbing,” finds ample mention within the Bible. This grievous act, characterized by deception and broken trust, punctuates many narratives and teachings throughout biblical text.
The following verses are contemplative references on betrayal, offering profound lessons on human character, trust, and divine justice. Although betrayal is a painful human experience, the Bible provides insights into forgiveness, God’s faithfulness, and the pursuit of righteousness.
Bible Verses about Backstabbing
1. Proverbs 25:9-10 – Avoid Disloyalty
“If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence, or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.” – Proverbs 25:9-10
Cross-References
Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
Psalm 101:5 – “Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence.”
James 4:11 – “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.”
2. Psalm 55:12-14 – Betrayal by a Friend
“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.” – Psalm 55:12-14
Cross-References
Job 19:19 – “All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me.”
Micah 7:5-6 – “Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend.”
Matthew 26:49-50 – “Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.”
3. Proverbs 17:9 – Covering an Offense
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
Cross-References
1 Peter 4:8 – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
James 5:20 – “Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
Genesis 9:22-23 – “Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside.”
4. Proverbs 16:28 – The Whisperer’s Folly
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
Cross-References
James 3:5 – “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.”
Matthew 12:36 – “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
Psalm 34:13 – “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
5. Matthew 26:48-49 – Judas’ Betrayal
“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.” – Matthew 26:48-49
Cross-References
Mark 14:44 – “Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.'”
Luke 22:47-48 – “But Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'”
6. John 13:18 – Fulfillment of Scripture
“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.'” – John 13:18
Cross-References
John 17:12 – “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.”
Acts 1:16 – “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas.”
7. Genesis 27:35 – Deceit in the Family
“But he said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.'” – Genesis 27:35
Cross-References
Genesis 25:33 – “But Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.”
Genesis 27:19 – “Jacob said to his father, ‘I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me.'”
Genesis 49:4 – “Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel.”
8. Judges 9:23-24 – A Spirit of Discord
“God stirred up animosity between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek.” – Judges 9:23-24
Cross-References
Judges 9:56 – “Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelek had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers.”
Hosea 9:15 – “Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, I hated them there.”
1 Samuel 18:10 – “The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul.”
9. Psalm 109:4 – Repaying Good with Evil
“In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.” – Psalm 109:4
Cross-References
Psalm 35:12 – “They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.”
Jeremiah 18:20 – “Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me.”
John 15:25 – “But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.'”
10. Jeremiah 12:6 – Betrayal by Kin
“Your relatives, members of your own family—even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you.” – Jeremiah 12:6
Cross-References
Matthew 10:36 – “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
Micah 7:6 – “For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother.”
Mark 13:12 – “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child.”
11. Luke 22:3-6 – The Plot of Judas
“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.” – Luke 22:3-6
Cross-References
Matthew 26:14-16 – “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 deliver him over to you?'”
Mark 14:10 – “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.”
John 13:2 – “The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas.”
12. Proverbs 14:25 – The Value of Truthful Testimony
“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” – Proverbs 14:25
Cross-References
Proverbs 19:5 – “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”
Exodus 23:1 – “Do not spread false reports.”
Proverbs 6:19 – “A false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
13. 2 Timothy 4:16 – Deserted Yet Strengthened
“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.” – 2 Timothy 4:16
Cross-References
2 Timothy 1:15 – “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.”
Psalm 41:11 – “By this I know that you delight in me: My enemy will not shout in triumph over me.”
Acts 7:60 – “Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.'”
14. Matthew 24:10 – Signs of the End Times
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.” – Matthew 24:10
Cross-References
1 Timothy 4:1 – “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith.”
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs.”
John 16:2 – “They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.”
15. Genesis 37:28 – Joseph Sold by His Brothers
“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.” – Genesis 37:28
Cross-References
Genesis 37:27 – “Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him.”
Acts 7:9 – “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him.”
Genesis 42:21 – “They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother.'”
16. 1 Samuel 18:29 – Saul’s Jealousy
“Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.” – 1 Samuel 18:29
Cross-References
1 Samuel 18:8 – “Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly.”
1 Samuel 19:1 – “Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David.”
1 Samuel 20:33 – “But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him.”
17. John 18:15-17 – Peter’s Denial
“Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. ‘You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?’ she asked Peter. He replied, ‘I am not.'” – John 18:15-17
Cross-References
Matthew 26:69-70 – “Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him.”
Luke 22:55-57 – “And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together…”
Mark 14:66-68 – “While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.”
18. Psalm 41:9 – Betrayal by a Close Friend
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” – Psalm 41:9
Cross-References
Matthew 26:23 – “Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.'”
Mark 14:18 – “While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.'”
19. Micah 7:5 – Untrustworthiness
“Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend.” – Micah 7:5
Cross-References
Jeremiah 9:4 – “Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan.”
Job 6:15 – “But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams.”
Matthew 10:21 – “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child.”
20. Proverbs 6:16-19 – Things God Hates
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: … a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” – Proverbs 6:16-19
Cross-References
Proverbs 12:22 – “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
James 3:6 – “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.”
Zechariah 8:17 – “Do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely.”
21. Matthew 26:21-22 – Prediction of Betrayal
“And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?'” – Matthew 26:21-22
Cross-References
John 13:21 – “After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified.”
Luke 22:21 – “But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.”
22. Lamentations 1:2 – Desertion by Friends
“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.” – Lamentations 1:2
Cross-References
Job 19:14 – “My relatives have gone away; my closest friends have forgotten me.”
Jeremiah 4:30 – “What are you doing, you devastated one?”
Job 16:20 – “My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God.”
23. Psalm 55:20-21 – Words Smooth as Butter
“My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart.” – Psalm 55:20-21
Cross-References
Proverbs 5:3-4 – “For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil.”
Psalm 28:3 – “Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil.”
Matthew 26:25 – “Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?'”
24. Zechariah 13:6 – Wounds of Betrayal
“If someone asks, ‘What are these wounds on your body?’ they will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.’” – Zechariah 13:6
Cross-References
Isaiah 53:5 – “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.”
John 7:5 – “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”
Luke 22:48 – “But Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'”
25. Habakkuk 2:6 – The Taunt
“Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, ‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?’” – Habakkuk 2:6
Cross-References
Micah 2:1 – “Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds!”
James 5:3 – “Your gold and silver are corroded.”
Proverbs 11:1 – “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”
26. Acts 7:52 – Repeated Betrayal
“Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him.” – Acts 7:52
Cross-References
Luke 11:47 – “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them.”
Nehemiah 9:26 – “But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law.”
Hebrews 11:36-37 – “Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.”
27. Romans 1:29-30 – A Depraved Mind
“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, insolent, arrogant and boastful.” – Romans 1:29-30
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 12:20 – “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.”
Galatians 5:19-21 – “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery.”
28. 2 Corinthians 11:26 – Paul’s Perils
“I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.” – 2 Corinthians 11:26
Cross-References
Acts 20:3 – “Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria.”
Acts 9:23 – “After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him.”
Psalm 18:6 – “In my distress I called to the Lord.”
29. Ezekiel 22:9 – Slanderous Men
“In you are slanderers who are bent on shedding blood; in you are those who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts.” – Ezekiel 22:9
Cross-References
Psalm 31:13 – “For I hear many whispering, ‘Terror on every side!’ They conspire against me.”
Jeremiah 6:28 – “They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander.”
Proverbs 10:18 – “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
30. Proverbs 18:8 – The Words of a Whisperer
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.” – Proverbs 18:8
Cross-References
Proverbs 26:22 – “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
Proverbs 12:18 – “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
James 1:26 – “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves.”
31. 1 John 2:19 – The Departure of Betrayers
“They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us.” – 1 John 2:19
Cross-References
Matthew 7:23 – “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”
James 5:19-20 – “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back.”
32. Psalm 120:2 – Deliverance from Deceitful Tongues
“Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.” – Psalm 120:2
Cross-References
Psalms 34:13 – “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
Proverbs 12:19 – “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”
While you’re here, why not explore our latest article on: Bible verses about Feeling Guilty
Final Thought
The Bible teaches that betrayal is a grave wrongdoing that disrupts relationships and trust. Many narratives revolve around instances of betrayal, from the Old Testament account of Joseph’s brothers to the New Testament story of Judas Iscariot. These examples demonstrate that betrayal can distort relationships at personal, familial, and communal levels. Yet, amid these challenging stories, the scriptures convey an overriding message of divine justice and redemption.
The grace of forgiveness can always surpass acts of deceit, as shown by Jesus’ willingness to forgive those who betray and abandon him. The verses also remind believers about the need for vigilance against deceit and the importance of fostering trustworthy relationships. They invite us to reflect on our actions by choosing integrity over deceit, embodying the truth in our relationships. God’s faithfulness counters human betrayal, and in every treachery, there lies the potential for reconciliation and healing, a promise that faithfulness and trust can be restored through divine intervention and perseverance in love