Betrayal and Denial - a Bible Study

[Br. Bear]

Greetings,

• Is there a difference between the betrayal of Judas (son of Simon Iscariot) and the denial of Peter (Simon the son of Jona; Cephas)?
• Also, are there other references in Scripture of either betrayal or denyal?

here are some scriptures and notes to get started with:


regarding Judas, (betrayal)

Matthew 27:3-5
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
(The wages of sin is death - those thirty pieces of silver paid for the cemetery and burial of Judas Iscariot)

and regarding Peter, (denial)

Matthew 26:
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cockrel crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cockrel crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

which in Scriptural terms is not a light matter...

Jesus said:
Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32,33

the Apostle Paul wrote:
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:
If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself.
2Timothy 2:11-13

and the Apostle Peter wrote:
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Peter 2:1

( Jesus said to Peter before he denied Him:
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luke 22:31-32 )

 

[Br. Bear]

Some more Scripture from the Gospels concerning Peter's denials:


And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cockrel crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cockrel crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cockrel crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
Mark 14:66-72



and John 18:10-27
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound Him, And led Him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

The high priest then asked Jesus of His disciples, and of His doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou Me? ask them which heard Me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou Me? Now Annas had sent Him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of His disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with Him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cockrel crew.



Luke 22:54-62
Then took they Him (Jesus), and led Him, and brought Him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with Him. And he denied Him, saying, Woman, I know Him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with Him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cockrel crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said unto him, Before the cockrel crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.


Bless you ....><>

 

[Br. Bear]

Some more Scripture from the Gospels concerning Judas's betrayal:


Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.
And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself.
After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded
Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me. Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For He knew who should betray Him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than He that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with Me hath lifted up his heel against Me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth Me; and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me.


When Jesus had thus said, He was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me.
Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom He spake.
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom He spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto Him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent He spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
John 13:1-30


Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Him (Jesus); for they feared the people.
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray Him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
Luke 22:1-7
(was Judas the leaven that was to be thrown out at Passover?)


These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee: As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.
I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given Me are of Thee. For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.


And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
John 17:1-19


And in the evening He cometh with the twelve. And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with Me shall betray Me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto Him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? And He answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with Me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of Him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
Mark 14:17-21

 

[RJ]

Mighty powerful and important scriptures you've quoted over two threads and your original post, a blessing all. Did you have a particular message or, did I miss it?

 

[Brighthouse]

Thanks Brother Bear! There is a reason why I do not wish to hug others,or give them a ah holy Kiss. lol Judas betrayed Jesus with just such a kiss!! This runs through my mind whenever a brother or sister looks to hug or kiss each other on the cheek or neck. I know this may sound very strange to many! I grew up being taught to never show one's emotion,and if we cried as children we were beaten that much harder.

The purpose of what many would call harsh,was in preparation for dealing with such an unforgiving and cruel world. And to always remember something!!!( Psalm 118:8) One of the very few scriptures my earthly father ever knew. lol. He taught self control, and self reliance! Since becoming born again,I have done the best I can to further understand the concept of showing and having emotion,but have found that feeling and emotion can also betray one's self as well.

Many have reminded me of the scripture Jesus wept,but what they forget to look at is to the purpose of such an action.( Rom 12:15) He did not do this from emotion,he knew he would raise Lazarus.( John 11:11-35) please notice verse 33!! The reason Jesus wept.( Rom 12:15) In verse 36 they said see how he loved him.It was not just HIm he loved,he loved those who longed for Lazarus!! Verse 38 deeply moved again,by them!! Not by himself!! They were expecting Jesus to do something!! Hence there faith caused Jesus to be moved to do something! I hope you just see the point I am making here! I know many will not agree.This is not new to me. lol

 

[Brighthouse]

The difference to me between the two, is this. Betraying kills another,denial does not.Betraying leads to a lasting bondage,that can never be undone.It deeply offends!!!( Proverbs 18:19) and a friend loves at ALL TIMES!!( Proverbs 17:17) this is my simple view of the two.Peter was born from adversity,not from betraying.

 

[amadeus2]

Denying the Lord before other people may well contribute to their final spiritual death. That is real death. If after God accepted our first repentance from sin, we then denied Him before men would that not be a betrayal of the trust the Lord placed in us?

Is there a betrayal of our Lord worse than denying our Lord? We can play with words and meanings of words and come up with different results, but there is never any doubt with the Lord because He doesn't look at either denial or betrayal or disobedience but at the heart and renders a fair judgment.

We could for example compare the misdeeds of King Saul and King David, and according to our own minds might easily determine that David was as bad or worse than Saul. But, Saul was rejected and David was forgiven. Were David's adultery and murder were less serious than Saul's disobedience? God looked at the heart of each man and rendered a fair judgment. Saul was no longer fit to be king and David was forgiven. Without understanding their hearts a fair judgment could not be made.

Was not Judah, the 4th son of Jacob by Leah a leading betrayer of his younger half-brother, Joseph? Was not the purpose of the brothers, including Judah, that Joseph should die? Joseph was saved from death but it was certainly not because of the mercy or repentance of Judah.

Yet, many years later in Egypt, we find that it is the same Judah with a new heart who offers himself as a surety to the safety of Joseph's younger brother, Benjamin. Judah has turned over a new leaf (repented of his old ways) and has been accepted of God. From the loins of Judah would come the Messiah.

 

[RJ]

Denying the Lord before other people may well contribute to their final spiritual death. That is real death. If after God accepted our first repentance from sin, we then denied Him before men would that not be a betrayal of the trust the Lord placed in us?

I just don't get it! To accept his repentance, I suppose you mean they were born again and saved, meaning Jesus resides spiritually in them.
With God in you and he promises to never leave you and Jesus promises to never lose you, how exactly is it that you deny him?

Is there a betrayal of our Lord worse than denying our Lord? We can play with words and meanings of words and come up with different results, but there is never any doubt with the Lord because He doesn't look at either denial or betrayal or disobedience but at the heart and renders a fair judgment.

Yes, God looks into the heart and makes his determination by whether Jesus is in you or not. Once in there it is God's decision not ours!

 

[amadeus2]

I just don't get it! To accept his repentance, I suppose you mean they were born again and saved, meaning Jesus resides spiritually in them.
With God in you and he promises to never leave you and Jesus promises to never lose you, how exactly is it that you deny him?

Yes, God looks into the heart and makes his determination by whether Jesus is in you or not. Once in there it is God's decision not ours!

The promises are good, RJ, but the "old man" of us can still turn our back. We still have the authority that God gave us. This is where our beliefs differ.

If we were not able to say either, yes, or no, I do not believe it would be possible for us to grow as God wants us to grow and He does want that. He wants us to do it His Way because WE choose it every step along the way, NOT because it was impossible for us to do anything else. The only thing that can completely kill the "old man" in us is the "new man" in us. If He wanted it your way He could have simply created all of that way and there we would be with Him in heaven never having had another choice. We will always have another choice until and if we have attained His goal by means of Him working in us.

Jesus was an overcomer. God through Jesus made it possible for each of us to be an overcomer, but we must choose to lay down the reins so He can pick them. This is not a one-time deal, but must be done repeatedly until the work is finished.

At least, that is how I see it.

 

[RJ]

The promises are good, RJ, but the "old man" of us can still turn our back. We still have the authority that God gave us. This is where our beliefs differ.

God and Jesus tell only the truth. No, your not the Old Man, you are born a new! With in mind of what God and Jesus say, I just don't see how one escapes their promise. You just keep striving to do what ever it is what you do, God bless you in that effort. You always refer to the fact that God gets all the glory. It is not a negotiate or percentage proposition, it is all of his grace or it is none of it.
But , like you said, we differ on this; hopefully we reach the same goal!

 

[Christ4Ever]

Dear @Br. Bear

I see Peter's denial not as him being ashamed, but rather afraid. He fought against it which is evident by the fact that he was still hanging around while the other disciples fled. I'm sure he did not desire to be recognized, but hoped to go unnoticed so he could see what was going to happen to Jesus his Master. Of cause he also did not yet believe/comprehend in total the words that Jesus had spoken in which what was transpiring before his eyes had been foretold and had happen. It was still not allowed at that moment for him to know in total or I would want to believe he and the others might have reacted differently than they did. Not till later was his and the others understanding opened up. (Luke 24:25-26) So in a way he was at this time flying blind. When still in fear which is evident by the reaction of the disciples in running away and deserting Jesus. "....doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews......." John 20:19

The overall condition was one of hiding for fear of being found. So when confronted as one who was a disciple of Jesus, Peter of cause reacted in a way that most people would. Not in "shame" of Jesus, but of "self preservation" which is instinctive to man. Later of cause it turned to "shame", but not at Jesus but at himself! "And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly." Matthew 26:75

Self-preservation is instinctive to man. Only with supreme effort is it overcome. So telling a lie to protect oneself was within the scope of human behavior (without the Holy Spirit) for Peter. There must be a rational reason for one to give of oneself for another (Military training is another, but that's another story). "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 The believer in Christ Jesus has this love in them and so my hope is that we are more motivated to act upon it. Sorry, I digress with the following side note. Anyway, Peter one can almost say, has a reconciliation later when after the resurrection Jesus ask Peter three times "Do you love me....." I would have no problem saying that Peter most assuredly noticed being asked three times this question. The same number of times of his denials!

So in conclusion for me it seems that Peter in his denials was not motivated because of having some "shame of Jesus" which is condemning by scripture which has been noted, but out of fear and "lied" to in order to save himself. We also know he was bitterly ashamed for the weakness he showed which goes in line with the sinful nature of man. We can also conclude that Jesus forgave him as he forgives us for many of things we have done before and after being drawn to Him so that we might be saved. Can't thank Him enough for that and so much more!!! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sorry for the length, but scripture does seem to envelop me and at times to the point of being overwhelmed in the depth one finds until it is opened to us through the Holy Spirit! The only way I can sometimes describe it is by saying "WOW"!

Awesome thread movement!
With the Love of Jesus Christ my brother!
YBIC
C4E
<><

 

[Brad Huber]

There is only one unforgivable sin, blaspheming of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps something along that line happened with Judas. The bible is not a complete exhaustive history of the Christian faith, and a how to act and think for all things. We were meant to have AND utilize the Holy Spirit. When we don't do that, if we refuse the leading of the Holy Spirit continually, we "will" suffer, plain and simple.

 

[Christ4Ever]

We were meant to have AND utilize the Holy Spirit.

Correct, but neither Peter or Judas had been given that complete indwelling of the Holy Spirit as yet. Our Lord had not yet ascended.
YBIC
C4E
<><

 

[B-A-C]

I wonder if there is a difference between conviction and condemnation. It's OK to feel a little guilt, but not OK to punish yourself (even kill yourself).

Matt 26:74; Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.
Matt 26:75; And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

 

[amadeus2]

God and Jesus tell only the truth. No, your not the Old Man, you are born a new! With in mind of what God and Jesus say, I just don't see how one escapes their promise. You just keep striving to do what ever it is what you do, God bless you in that effort. You always refer to the fact that God gets all the glory. It is not a negotiate or percentage proposition, it is all of his grace or it is none of it.
But , like you said, we differ on this; hopefully we reach the same goal!

Yes, my friend, the goal which God sets still stands before us. Let us continue toward it.

 

[RJ]

I wonder if there is a difference between conviction and condemnation. It's OK to feel a little guilt, but not OK to punish yourself (even kill yourself).

Matt 26:74; Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.
Matt 26:75; And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Not sure what you are looking for but, by now you should know me @B-A-C .
There is a distinct difference;
All have been convicted but, what remains is the sentence. For those of us "born again", the sentence is life and therefore there is no condemnation! Romans 8:1

 

[RJ]

God and Jesus tell only the truth. No, your not the Old Man, you are born a new! With in mind of what God and Jesus say, I just don't see how one escapes their promise. You just keep striving to do what ever it is what you do, God bless you in that effort. You always refer to the fact that God gets all the glory. It is not a negotiate or percentage proposition, it is all of his grace or it is none of it.
But , like you said, we differ on this; hopefully we reach the same goal!

The "Old Man" is supposed to be dead...at least that is the way I consider it!

 

[Brad Huber]

Correct, but neither Peter or Judas had been given that complete indwelling of the Holy Spirit as yet. Our Lord had not yet ascended.
YBIC
C4E
<><

Certainly not complete, yet they were empowered to some degree prior, some reached for more, some did not.

 

[Br. Bear]

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 10:21-22

Looking to the OLd Testament:

And it came to pass afterward, that he (Samson) loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
Judges 16:4-6

All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Psalm 41:7+9

And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David. And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.
1Chronicles 12:16-17

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27:6

and

And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD. And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
Zechariah 11:10-14


Bless you ....><>

 

[Curtis]

It is interesting that it was not just Peter who said he would never forsake or deny Jesus, it was all of Jesus's disciples who said the same thing. Yet they all ran off out of fear for their lives. Peter just happens to be center stage in his denial.

Mat 26:33.. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Mat 26:34.. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cockrel crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Mat 26:35.. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.