Lexical Summary metanoeó: Repent Original Word: μετανοέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance repent. From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider (morally, feel compunction) -- repent. see GREEK meta see GREEK noieo HELPS Word-studies 3340 metanoéō (from 3326 /metá, "changed after being with" and 3539 /noiéō, "think") – properly, "think differently after," "after a change of mind"; to repent (literally, "think differently afterwards"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom meta and noeó Definition to change one's mind or purpose NASB Translation repent (26), repented (5), repents (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3340: μετανοέωμετανοέω, μετάνω; future μετανοήσω; 1 aorist μετενόησα; from (Antiphon), Xenophon down; the Sept. several times for נִחַם; to change one's mind, i. e. to repent (to feel sorry that one has done this or that, Jonah 3:9), of having offended someone, Luke 17:3f; with ἐπί τίνι added (the dative of the wrong, Hebrew עַל, Amos 7:3; Joel 2:13; Jonah 3:10; Jonah 4:2), of (on account of) something (so Latinme paenitet alicujus rei), 2 Corinthians 12:21; used especially of those who, conscious of their sins and with manifest tokens of sorrow, are intent; on obtaining God's pardon; to repent (Latinpaenitentiam agere): μετανοῶ ἐν σάκκῳ καί σποδῷ, clothed in sackcloth and besprinkled with ashes, Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13. to change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins: Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15 (cf. Matthew 3:6 ἐξομολογούμενοι τάς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν; Matthew 3:8 and Luke 3:8 καρπούς ἀξίους τῆς μετανοίας, i. e. conduct worthy of a heart changed and abhorring sin); (Matthew 11:20; Mark 6:12); Luke 13:3, 5; Luke 15:7, 10; Luke 16:30; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; Revelation 2:5, 16; Revelation 3:3, 19; on the phrase μετανοεῖν εἰς τό κήρυγμα τίνος, Matthew 12:41 and Luke 11:32, see εἰς, B. II. 2 d.; (Winer's Grammar, 397 (371)). Since τό μετανοεῖν expresses mental direction, the termini from which and to which may be specified: ἀπό τῆς κακίας, to withdraw or turn one's soul from, etc. (cf. Winers Grammar, 622 (577); especially Buttmann, 322 (277)), Acts 8:22; ἐκ τίνος, Revelation 2:21; Revelation 9:20; Revelation 16:11 (see ἐκ, I. 6; (cf. Buttmann, 327 (281), and Winer's Grammar, as above)); μετανοεῖν καί ἐπιστρέφειν ἐπί τόν Θεόν, Acts 26:20; followed by an infinitive indicating purpose (Winer's Grammar, 318 (298)), Revelation 16:9. (Synonym: see μεταμέλομαι.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3340 describes the decisive, Spirit-wrought turning of heart and mind that re-orients a person from sin to God. Throughout the New Testament it is never presented as mere remorse but as a wholehearted response to divine truth that issues in faith, obedience, and fruit worthy of repentance. Old Testament Roots Though the verb itself is Greek, its thought world reflects the Hebrew concepts of שׁוּב (to return) and נחם (to be sorry, relent). Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel called Israel to turn back to the LORD, anticipating the new-covenant promise of an internal change (Jeremiah 31:33). John the Baptist stands squarely in that prophetic stream. The Inaugural Call of John the Baptist and Jesus Matthew 3:2 and Matthew 4:17 record the opening note of both forerunner and Messiah: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The imperative frames all subsequent Kingdom proclamation. Mark 1:15 pairs repentance with belief in the gospel; Luke 3:8 demands “fruits worthy of repentance,” revealing its ethical dimension. Repentance and Personal Salvation Peter’s Pentecost sermon links repentance to forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit: “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). In Solomon’s Colonnade he again cries, “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). Paul affirms the universality of the demand: “God now commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Faith and repentance are complementary responses to the gospel. Pastoral and Disciplinary Contexts Luke 17:3-4 illustrates repentance in interpersonal relationships: a sinning brother who “repents” must be forgiven again and again. 2 Corinthians 12:21 grieves over believers who had “not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.” Repentance is thus requisite not only for conversion but for ongoing sanctification within the church. Eschatological Urgency in Revelation The risen Christ commands five of the seven churches to repent (Revelation 2:5, 16; 3:3, 19). Each summons is coupled with the threat of judgment or promise of reward, underscoring repentance as the church’s continual posture. Later scenes show hardened humanity: “The rest of mankind… did not repent of the works of their hands” (Revelation 9:20; cf. 16:9, 11). Final judgment confirms that refusal to repent is culpable unbelief. Individual and Corporate Dimensions The verb appears in singular imperatives to individuals (Acts 8:22; Revelation 2:16) and plural imperatives to crowds (Acts 2:38) and entire congregations (Revelation 3:19). Scripture thus upholds both personal accountability and communal responsibility. Repentance and Baptism Acts 2:38 places repentance before baptism; Acts 19:4 explains that John’s baptism was “a baptism of repentance.” Water identifies the penitent with the Messiah’s death and resurrection, but the inner change is prerequisite. Evidence of Genuine Repentance John commands “produce fruit” (Matthew 3:8); Paul preaches “works worthy of repentance” (Acts 26:20). Luke 15:7, 10 records heaven’s joy “over one sinner who repents,” portraying repentance as the shepherd-found sheep returning. The prodigal’s confession (Luke 15:18-21) models contrition, dependence, and restoration. Divine Patience and Kindness Romans 2:4 (using the related noun) teaches that God’s kindness leads to repentance, harmonizing with 2 Peter 3:9: the Lord “is patient… not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” The repeated calls in Revelation reveal patience even in the midst of escalating judgments. Historical Theology Early church catechesis placed repentance first in the “two ways” instruction (Didache 1–2). Reformation confessions viewed it as a grace inseparable from saving faith (Westminster Confession 15.2). Throughout revivals—e.g., the Great Awakenings—biblical preaching restored the note of heartfelt repentance, fueling missionary expansion. Practical Ministry Application 1. Evangelism: Proclaim the risen Christ’s mandate “that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). Summary Strong’s Greek 3340 traces a scarlet thread from the first cry of the Baptist to the closing warnings of Revelation, establishing repentance as God’s gracious summons to enter and remain in covenant fellowship. It is both entrance into life and the daily rhythm of the Christian walk, inseparably joined to faith, producing transformed lives that magnify the mercy and righteousness of God. Forms and Transliterations μετανοειν μετανοείν μετανοεῖν μετάνοειν Μετανοειτε μετανοείτε Μετανοεῖτε μετανοησαι μετανοήσαι μετανοῆσαι μετανοήσαις μετανοησαντων μετανοησάντων Μετανοησατε Μετανοήσατε μετανοήσει μετανοηση μετανοήση μετανοήσῃ μετανοησης μετανοήσης μετανοήσῃς μετανοησον μετανόησον μετανοησουσιν μετανοήσουσιν μετανοήσω μετανοήσωσι μετανοήσωσιν μετανοητε μετανοήτε μετανοῆτε μετανοουντι μετανοούντι μετανοοῦντι Μετανοω μετανοώ Μετανοῶ μετανοών μετανοωσιν μετανοῶσιν μετενόησα μετενοησαν μετενόησαν μετενόησεν metanoein metanoeîn Metanoeite Metanoeîte metanoesai metanoêsai metanoēsai metanoē̂sai metanoesanton metanoesánton metanoēsantōn metanoēsántōn Metanoesate Metanoēsate Metanoḗsate metanoese metanoēsē metanoḗsei metanoḗsēi metanoḗseis metanoḗsēis metanoeses metanoēsēs metanoeson metanoēson metanóeson metanóēson metanoesosin metanoēsōsin metanoḗsosin metanoḗsōsin metanoesousin metanoēsousin metanoḗsousin metanoete metanoête metanoēte metanoē̂te Metanoo Metanoô Metanoō Metanoō̂ metanoosin metanoôsin metanoōsin metanoō̂sin metanoounti metanooûnti metenoesan metenoēsan metenóesan metenóēsanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 3:2 V-PMA-2PGRK: καὶ λέγων Μετανοεῖτε ἤγγικεν γὰρ NAS: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven KJV: And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom INT: And saying Repent has drawn near indeed Matthew 4:17 V-PMA-2P Matthew 11:20 V-AIA-3P Matthew 11:21 V-AIA-3P Matthew 12:41 V-AIA-3P Mark 1:15 V-PMA-2P Mark 6:12 V-PSA-3P Luke 10:13 V-AIA-3P Luke 11:32 V-AIA-3P Luke 13:3 V-PSA-2P Luke 13:5 V-ASA-2P Luke 15:7 V-PPA-DMS Luke 15:10 V-PPA-DMS Luke 16:30 V-FIA-3P Luke 17:3 V-ASA-3S Luke 17:4 V-PIA-1S Acts 2:38 V-AMA-2P Acts 3:19 V-AMA-2P Acts 8:22 V-AMA-2S Acts 17:30 V-PNA Acts 26:20 V-PNA 2 Corinthians 12:21 V-APA-GMP Revelation 2:5 V-AMA-2S Revelation 2:5 V-ASA-2S Revelation 2:16 V-AMA-2S Strong's Greek 3340 |