a Judas kiss
An act of betrayal disguised as friendship or affection.
“His friendly handshake turned out to be a Judas kiss.”
“The glowing public endorsement was a Judas kiss; behind the scenes he was already briefing against her.”
“The partner's warm reassurances in the boardroom were a Judas kiss, delivered with perfect sincerity even as the paperwork that would force the founder out sat signed and waiting in his desk drawer.”
The phrase comes from the arrest of Jesus in Matthew 26:48–49, echoed in Luke 22:47–48. Judas Iscariot has arranged a signal with the soldiers — the man I kiss is the one — and then greets Jesus with a kiss to mark him out for capture, turning a customary gesture of greeting and respect into the instrument of betrayal.
What makes the image so durable is the perversion of intimacy: the very sign of affection is used to hand a friend over to his enemies.
In English a Judas kiss is any act of treachery wrapped in a show of warmth or loyalty — the smile, the embrace, the reassurance offered by someone who is at that moment selling you out.
The betrayal, trial and crucifixion.
- 01
wash your hands of it (idiom)
To publicly refuse any further responsibility for something or someone.
- 02
thirty pieces of silver (idiom)
A contemptible price paid or accepted for an act of betrayal.
- 03
doubting Thomas (idiom)
One who requires proof before believing.
- 04
a cross to bear (idiom)
A heavy, ongoing personal burden or difficulty that one must carry.
- 05
a crown of thorns (idiom)
An honour or position that brings suffering rather than glory.
- 06
give up the ghost (idiom)
To cease clinging to life; to die.
Last updated July 29, 2026