Scripture Library · Betrayal and trust · KJV
Bible Verses About Betrayal and Trust (KJV) + A Prayer for a Hurting Heart
Betrayal hurts most when it comes from someone close. David knew it, Joseph knew it, and Jesus knew it in the garden. These 13 passages from the King James Bible meet you in that wound and show you where trust can safely rest again: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”
13 Bible verses about betrayal and trust
Someone I trusted hurt me. How do I trust again?
Psalm 55:12-22KJV
12For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 15Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. 16As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. 19God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. 20He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. 22Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
David is betrayed by a close friend and casts his burden on the Lord.Read in context →
Psalm 41:9-13KJV
9Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. 10But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. 11By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. 12And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. 13Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
Even a trusted friend who shared bread has turned; God upholds the faithful.Read in context →
Genesis 50:15-21KJV
15And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. 16And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, 17So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Joseph tells the brothers who sold him: you meant evil, God meant it for good.Read in context →
Luke 22:47-62KJV
47And 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. 48But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 49When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 52Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 54Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. 55And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. Keep reading →
Jesus is betrayed with a kiss by Judas and denied by Peter in one night.Read in context →
John 21:15-19KJV
15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Jesus restores Peter after his denial and trusts him with His sheep.Read in context →
2 Timothy 4:14-18KJV
14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Everyone deserted Paul, but the Lord stood with him and strengthened him.Read in context →
Psalm 118:8-9KJV
8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.Read in context →
Proverbs 3:5-6KJV
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Trust the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.Read in context →
Psalm 27:10KJV
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
When father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.Read in context →
Hebrews 13:5-6KJV
5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
God will never leave or forsake you; you need not fear what people do.Read in context →
Romans 12:17-21KJV
17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Do not repay evil for evil; leave vengeance to God and overcome evil with good.Read in context →
Psalm 56:3-4KJV
3What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
When I am afraid I will trust in God; what can flesh do to me?Read in context →
Micah 7:5-8KJV
5Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. 6For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. 7Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
When no one can be trusted, I will look to the Lord; though I fall, I will rise.Read in context →
A prayer after betrayal
Pray it slowly, in your own words if you like.
Lord, someone I trusted has hurt me, and You know every detail. You were betrayed with a kiss, so You understand this pain better than anyone. I bring it to You instead of carrying it alone.
Guard me from bitterness and from paying evil back with evil. Where I need to forgive, give me the strength to begin. Where I need wisdom and distance, give me that too.
Teach me to trust in You with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. Heal what was broken, and in Your time, help me to trust again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What the Bible says about betrayal
What does the Bible say about betrayal?
The Bible is honest about betrayal. In Psalm 55 David grieves that it was not an enemy but “mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance” who turned on him. Jesus was betrayed by Judas and denied by Peter. Scripture does not minimize the pain, but it points us to God, who never betrays.
How did Jesus respond to betrayal?
Jesus named Judas’ betrayal plainly, yet called him “Friend” in the garden and healed the servant’s ear. After Peter’s denial, Jesus restored him with three questions by the sea (John 21:15-19). He shows that truth and grace can go together.
Do I have to trust someone again after they betray me?
Forgiveness and trust are not the same. Forgiveness is released freely, as we have been forgiven. Trust is rebuilt over time through changed behavior. Proverbs and the Psalms both call for wisdom about whom we confide in, while our deepest trust belongs to the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6).
What can I learn from Joseph’s story?
Joseph was sold by his own brothers, yet years later he told them, “ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20). His story shows that God can work even betrayal into His purposes without excusing the wrong that was done.
More Bible verses by topic
- Forgiveness and reconciliation
- Anger and conflict
- Boundaries and discernment
- Loneliness and belonging
- Grief and loss
- All topics
Looking for Scripture on something else? The Scripture Library gathers 255 passages around the struggles and questions people actually bring to God.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain).

