“Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken some of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived. They have even put it among their own stuff.”
— Joshua 7:11 WEB
Explore Bible verses about betrayal, healing, and forgiveness with insights from Psalm 41:9 and more. Find hope and guidance through scripture.
Verses sourced from the World English Bible (public domain). Selection follows our editorial policy. Last reviewed 2026-04-23. See all sources.
Betrayal is acknowledged in Scripture as a painful human experience, often leading to feelings of deep hurt and disappointment. Psalm 41:9 highlights the sorrow of being betrayed by a close friend. However, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and healing, encouraging believers to seek reconciliation and restoration in relationships.
“Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.”
Betrayal cuts deep. It often comes from those we trust the most, leaving scars that linger. Psalm 41:9 highlights this pain: “Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.” This verse captures the raw hurt we feel when someone close turns against us. It reminds us that even in biblical times, betrayal was a poignant reality.
Throughout scripture, we find stories of betrayal and the heartache it brings. In Joshua 7:11, Israel’s sin is laid bare as they deceive and steal. Similarly, Job 17:5 warns of the devastating consequences when friends turn against each other. These verses remind us that betrayal, though painful, is not new. By reflecting on these scriptures, we can find solace and guidance to heal and move forward.
“Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken some of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived. They have even put it among their own stuff.”
— Joshua 7:11 WEB
“Here I am. Witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a ransom to make me blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.””
— 1 Samuel 12:3 WEB
“He who denounces his friends for plunder, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.”
— Job 17:5 WEB
“For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue.”
— Psalms 5:9 WEB
“Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.”
— Psalms 41:9 WEB
“For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt.”
— Psalms 69:26 WEB
“He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.”
— Psalms 147:3 WEB
“who forsakes the friend of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God:”
— Proverbs 2:17 WEB
“The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.”
— Proverbs 14:14 WEB
“A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.”
— Proverbs 17:17 WEB
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.”
— Proverbs 27:6 WEB
“Woe to you who destroy, but you weren’t destroyed; and who betray, but nobody betrayed you! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed; and when you have finished betrayal, you will be betrayed.”
— Isaiah 33:1 WEB
“Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! For they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.”
— Jeremiah 9:2 WEB
“Yahweh, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be disappointed. Those who depart from me will be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Yahweh, the spring of living waters.”
— Jeremiah 17:13 WEB
“For I have heard the defaming of many, “Terror on every side! Denounce, and we will denounce him!” say all my familiar friends, those who watch for my fall. “Perhaps he will be persuaded, and we will prevail against him, and we will take our revenge on him.””
— Jeremiah 20:10 WEB
“All your lovers have forgotten you. They don’t seek you. For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins were increased.”
— Jeremiah 30:14 WEB
“For wasn’t Israel a derision to you? Was he found among thieves? For as often as you speak of him, you shake your head.”
— Jeremiah 48:27 WEB
““For these things I weep. My eye, my eye runs down with water, because the comforter who should refresh my soul is far from me. My children are desolate, because the enemy has prevailed.””
“Woe to them! For they have wandered from me. Destruction to them! For they have trespassed against me. Though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.”
— Hosea 7:13 WEB
“All the men of your alliance have brought you on your way, even to the border. The men who were at peace with you have deceived you, and prevailed against you. Friends who eat your bread lay a snare under you. There is no understanding in him.””
— Obadiah 1:7 WEB
“Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.”
— Matthew 10:4 WEB
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.”
— Matthew 15:19 WEB
“From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.”
— Matthew 16:21 WEB
“Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.””
— Matthew 26:48 WEB
“Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.”
— Matthew 26:49 WEB
“Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.”
— Matthew 26:50 WEB
“Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,”
— Matthew 27:3 WEB
“saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.””
— Matthew 27:4 WEB
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, limaTR reads “lama” instead of “lima” sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”Psalm 22:1”
— Matthew 27:46 WEB
“and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Then he came into a house.”
— Mark 3:19 WEB
“For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.””
— Mark 14:21 WEB
“Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’Zechariah 13:7”
— Mark 14:27 WEB
“Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.””
— Mark 14:42 WEB
“Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”
— Luke 10:30 WEB
“The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!””
— Luke 22:22 WEB
“But there are some of you who don’t believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was who would betray him.”
— John 6:64 WEB
“Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, Isaiah 53:7-8 that I may take it again.”
— John 10:17 WEB
“I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’Psalm 41:9”
— John 13:18 WEB
“When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.””
— John 13:21 WEB
“They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.”
— John 18:5 WEB
“For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.”Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20”
— John 19:36 WEB
“Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”Zechariah 12:10”
— John 19:37 WEB
“Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?””
— John 21:20 WEB
“preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.TR and NU omit “Jesus” and reverse the order of verses 28 & 29. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists,The Hellenists were Hebrews who used Greek language and culture. but they were seeking to kill him.”
— Acts 9:29 WEB
“serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;”
— Acts 20:19 WEB
“Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.””
— Acts 21:13 WEB
““Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.”Psalm 5:9 “The poison of vipers is under their lips”;Psalm 140:3”
— Romans 3:13 WEB
“Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Deuteronomy 32:35”
— Romans 12:19 WEB
“Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?”
— Galatians 3:1 WEB
“You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
— James 4:4 WEB
Reflect
Betrayal is a heavy burden, yet the Bible offers hope and healing. Psalm 5:9 shows us the deceitful nature of betrayal, while also guiding us toward truth and faithfulness.
Pray
Dear God, in moments of deep hurt, please guide me toward healing. Help me find peace and understanding in Your word. Amen.
Apply
This week, reflect on Psalm 41:9. Journal your feelings about a betrayal you've experienced and pray for healing and understanding.
The Bible acknowledges betrayal as a painful reality. Psalm 41:9 describes the heartache of betrayal by a close friend. In Joshua 7:11, betrayal is linked to sin and deception. These verses remind us that betrayal has been part of human experience for centuries. They also offer wisdom on handling such situations with integrity and faith.
Forgiving betrayal is challenging but possible through scripture's guidance. Ephesians 4:32 encourages us to be kind and compassionate, forgiving as God forgave us. By focusing on God's grace and praying for strength, we can find the courage to forgive. This doesn't mean forgetting the hurt but choosing to release its hold on us.
People betray for various reasons, often linked to sin or personal gain. Job 17:5 suggests betrayal can stem from greed. Psalm 5:9 points to deceitful hearts and unfaithful words. These scriptures remind us that betrayal often arises from brokenness and sin, highlighting the need for God's guidance and grace in our lives.
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