5798 betrayal
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5798 betrayal

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 1:2,19

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; Samuel 4:6; Samuel 11:15; Samuel 13:28-29; 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 pp Mark 14:21 pp Luke 22:22

The betrayal of Jesus Christ

Judas determines to betray Jesus Christ

Matthew 26:14-16 pp Mark 14:10-11 pp Luke 22:3-6

Jesus Christ's knowledge of events

Matthew 26:21-23 pp Mark 14:18-20 See also Matthew 20:17-19 pp Mark 10:33-34; Luke 22:21; John 13:11,18; Psalm 41:9; John 13:21-27

Jesus Christ is betrayed by a kiss

Matthew 26:47-49 pp Mark 14:43-45 pp Luke 22:47-48 The kiss featured in several betrayals as part of feigned friendship (see e.g., 2Sa 20:9-10 and Pr 27:6).

The betrayer's remorse

Matthew 27:3-5

Betrayal may be part of Christian experience

Matthew 10:21 pp Mark 13:12 pp Luke 21:16 See also Daniel 7:25; Matthew 10:35-36; Micah 7:6

Betrayal as a sign of the end times

Matthew 24:10

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

See also

1035  God, faithfulness
2570  Christ, suffering
5040  murder
5494  revenge
5817  conspiracies
5969  treachery
6145  deceit
8032  trust, lack of
8794  persecution
8830  suspicion
8841  unfaithfulness to people
9105  last things



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