Betrayal
“To hand over, deliver up”
Summary
The act of treacherously delivering someone to enemies, most infamously exemplified in Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus.
☩The Betrayal of Jesus
The Greek verb for 'betray' is paradidonai, while prodotes ('traitor') is applied to Judas in Luke 6:16. Had Jesus not been betrayed, His death would likely have been delayed, for the goodwill of the multitude was as a bulwark about Him, keeping His enemies at bay. The crisis came two days before the Passover, when the chief priests and scribes sought how they might take Him by craft. Judas agreed to deliver Him for thirty pieces of silver, identified Him with a kiss in Gethsemane, and thus set in motion the events of the crucifixion.
☩Other Biblical Examples
Delilah betrayed Samson to the Philistines after discovering the secret of his strength. Doeg the Edomite betrayed David by reporting his presence to Saul, leading to the massacre of the priests at Nob. Jesus warned His disciples that in the last days they would be betrayed even by family members and friends.
