Repent
The Greek word used here is "metanoeite," which means to change one's mind or purpose. In the context of Matthew 3:2, it signifies a profound transformation of heart and mind, turning away from sin and towards God. This call to repentance is central to John the Baptist's message and is foundational in Christian teaching. It is not merely an emotional response but a decisive, conscious turning from sin and a commitment to a new way of life. Historically, repentance was a common theme in the prophetic tradition of Israel, where prophets called the people back to faithfulness to God.

for
This conjunction connects the call to repentance with the reason for it. It serves as a bridge, indicating that the action of repentance is necessary because of the impending reality that follows. In the biblical narrative, it often introduces a cause or reason, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the message.

the kingdom of heaven
This phrase is unique to the Gospel of Matthew and is synonymous with the "kingdom of God" found in other Gospels. The term "kingdom" (Greek: "basileia") refers to the reign or rule of God. "Heaven" is used as a reverent circumlocution for God, reflecting Jewish sensibilities of the time. Theologically, the kingdom of heaven represents God's sovereign rule breaking into human history through the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is both a present reality and a future hope, where God's will is perfectly done.

is near
The Greek word "engiken" suggests something that is imminent or at hand. This phrase indicates the urgency of the message; the kingdom is not a distant future event but is breaking into the present. Historically, this proclamation would have resonated with first-century Jews who were anticipating the coming of the Messiah and the restoration of Israel. In a broader theological sense, it underscores the immediacy of God's action in the world and the necessity for a response from humanity. The nearness of the kingdom calls for immediate repentance and readiness to receive God's rule.

(2) Repent.--Etymologically, the word "repent," which has as its root-meaning the sense of pain, is hardly adequate as a rendering for the Greek word, which implies change of mind and purpose. In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the word is used of divine rather than human repentance, i.e., of a change of purpose implying pity and regret (1Samuel 15:29; Jeremiah 4:28; Jeremiah 18:8). In Wisdom Of Solomon 5:3; Ecclesiasticus 17:24; Ecclesiasticus 48:15, it includes the sorrow out of which the change comes. . . . Verse 2. - And (omitted by the Revised Version) saying. The parallel passages give the substance of John's preaching - the baptism of repentance. St. Matthew takes, as it seems, a sentence that actually fell from his lips, and presents it as the kernel of his message ("preaching... saying"). This is the more interesting as nowhere else are we told any words uttered by him in this the first stage of his ministry before crowds flocked to hear him. Repent ye... at hand; said word for word by our Lord (Matthew 4:17, note). Repent ye (μετανοεῖτε) . The word expresses the central thought of true repentance, in speaking, as it does, of a change of mind. Contrast μεταμέλεσθαι (Matthew 27:3; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10). As such it goes deeper than the Old Testament summons "Turn ye" (שובו), or the rabbinic תשובה, for it points out in what part of man the alteration must be. (On your meaning more than the mere thinking power, and including also the willing faculty, cf. especially Delitzsch, 'Psych.,' p. 211, etc., Eng. trans., 1875.) It is noticeable that the LXX. never, as it seems, translate שוב by μετανοῖν, but often נחם (of man only in Jeremiah 8:6; Jeremiah 31:19; and possibly Joel 2:14; cf. 1 Samuel 15:29), which refers to repentance as a matter of feeling. As Messiah was coming, it was only natural that John should urge repentance. Similarly, we find late Jewish writers expounding Genesis 1:2, "'And the Spirit of God was moving [on the face of the waters].' This is the Spirit of King Messiah, like that which is said in Isaiah 11:2, 'And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.' By what kind of merit does it draw near and come? It says, 'upon the face of the waters.' By the merit of repentance, which is compared to water, as it is written (Lain. 2:19), 'Pour out thy heart like water'" ('Bresh. R.,' § 2). But, unfortunately, they assign far too legal a meaning to the word, and their phrase, "do repentance" (עשה תשובה), becomes almost identical with the "do penance" (poeni-tentiam agite, Vulgate) of the Roman Catholics (cf. Talm. Dab., 'Sanh.,' 97 b). For the kingdom of heaven (see Introduction, p. 22.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

saying,
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Repent,
Μετανοεῖτε (Metanoeite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3340: From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

the
ἡ (hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heaven
οὐρανῶν (ouranōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

is near.”
ἤγγικεν (ēngiken)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1448: Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 3:2 Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. Mat Mt)