Who will betray me as foretold in scripture?

1. Overview of the Betrayal Prophecies

Multiple scriptural passages speak of a coming betrayal involving a close companion of the Messiah. One prominent foreshadowing appears in Psalm 41:9, “Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” In Zechariah 11:12–13, thirty pieces of silver are highlighted as the price tied to a future rejection. These Old Testament texts are widely regarded as pointing to a specific traitor who would hand over the Messiah for a sum of money.

Such words were not random predictions. Ancient manuscripts—including findings at Qumran (the Dead Sea Scrolls)—confirm the integrity of the Hebrew Scriptures containing these prophecies. These scrolls predate the New Testament era, indicating that the prophecies about betrayal existed and were carefully safeguarded in Jewish writings long before the birth of Christ.

2. New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, all four Gospels testify that Judas Iscariot fulfilled these predictions when he agreed to turn Jesus over for “thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15). The Gospel accounts consistently record that Jesus, during the Last Supper, announces His impending betrayal by someone close:

“Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” (Matthew 26:21)

Jesus also references the earlier scriptural citation, interpreted as speaking of a companion who would turn against Him. John 13:18 uses the language of Psalm 41 to underscore the connection: “I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’”

3. Identity of the Betrayer

All canonical Gospels converge on the same conclusion: Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, is the individual who fulfills the Old Testament foreshadowing. Judas’s surname, “Iscariot,” likely relates to his origins (possibly from Kerioth, a village in Judea), distinguishing him from other men named Judas in biblical texts.

• Matthew 26:25 explains that Judas directly asks Jesus if he is the betrayer, and Jesus affirms it.

• Mark 14:20 speaks of “the one who dips with Me in the bowl,” identifying the betrayer in the shared meal.

• Luke 22:3–4 notes Satan’s influence upon Judas, who then “discussed with the chief priests” how to hand Jesus over.

• John 13:26 depicts Jesus dipping a piece of bread and handing it to Judas, further identifying him.

After the betrayal, Judas returns the thirty pieces of silver to the temple authorities (Matthew 27:3–5), fulfilling Zechariah’s profound 11:12–13 reference. The priests use the returned silver to buy the Potter’s Field (Matthew 27:7), reflecting the prophecy’s focus on a humiliating transaction.

4. Scriptural Unity and Manuscript Reliability

The consistency among the earliest Greek manuscripts—such as important papyri like P66 and P75 for the Gospel of John, and other early codices like Sinaiticus and Vaticanus—demonstrates a unified witness regarding Judas’s betrayal. Variations in Greek wording do not alter the clear identification of Judas as the prophesied betrayer. Early Christian scholars, such as Irenaeus and Tertullian, cite these same passages without contradiction, affirming the reliability of the text.

Archaeological and historical findings further authenticate the Gospels’ settings, coinage, and practices of first-century Judea. For instance, excavations have uncovered tombs and ossuaries in the area of the Hinnom Valley near Jerusalem, known in tradition as “Akeldama” (Acts 1:19, “the Field of Blood”), aligning with Matthew 27:7–8 regarding the purchase of land with the betrayal money.

5. Theological Significance and Conclusion

The scriptural question, “Who will betray Me as foretold?” points unequivocally to Judas Iscariot. The betrayal, though tragic, served a role in the divine redemption narrative. Jesus knew the identity of His betrayer and still gave ample warnings about the gravity of such a choice (Matthew 26:24). This fulfillment underlines that the ancient prophecies, preserved through manuscripts and early community transmission, converge on a single individual whose actions became central to unfolding God’s plan of salvation.

The consistent testimony through prophetic foreshadowing, New Testament eyewitness accounts, and archaeological confirmation underscores both the reliability of these biblical records and the purposeful design behind the events. Even the betrayal forms part of the cohesive scriptural message, illustrating the depth of human agency and the sovereignty of God’s plan.