μετανοέω (metanoeō)
metanoeō
to repent
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 32 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb metanoeō signifies a fundamental change of mind that leads to a changed way of living. In the New Testament, it carries a weight far beyond simple regret or sorrow for past mistakes. Instead, it describes a decisive reorientation of the heart and direction, turning away from sin and toward God. This deeper sense is evident when John the Baptist and Jesus both open their ministries with calls to repentance (Matthew 3:2; 4:17), framing it as the necessary starting point for entering the kingdom.
Its structure combines a prefix indicating change or after with a root meaning mind or thought. The sources highlight that this internal shift inevitably produces external action, a connection made clear when Jesus references the people of Nineveh who repented at Jonah’s preaching (Matthew 12:41). While often translated simply as "repent," the Greek term encompasses the full moral and spiritual amendment that follows a genuine change in perspective.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word metanoeō invites us into a fresh way of seeing. It is not merely feeling sorry for past mistakes, but a complete change of mind that shifts our direction toward God. When John the Baptist and Jesus called people to repent, they were announcing that the Kingdom was near and inviting everyone to align their lives with it. This shift starts in the heart and naturally flows into how we live day by day.
Imagine the joy described in Luke 15:7 when a person turns back. Heaven celebrates this change because it restores relationship rather than leaving someone stuck in old patterns. If you are carrying guilt or feeling far from God, remember that His call is always an open invitation to start again. You do not need to have everything figured out; you only need to turn your mind and heart toward Him.
This word reminds us that faith is dynamic. It grows as we continually adjust our perspective to match God’s truth. Whether in moments of personal failure or community conflict, the path forward begins with a humble change of mind. Let this truth encourage you to keep moving toward grace, knowing that every step back to God is met with welcome.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 32 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do repent6×
- they repented3×
- you shall repent,2×
- to repent2×
- do repent;2×
- do repent.2×
- you shall repent.1×
- to repent;1×
- they would have repented.1×
- they will repent.1×
- they shall repent1×
- they repented;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μετενόησαν6×
- μετανόησον3×
- μετενόησαν.2×
- μετανόησον.2×
- μετανοῆτε,2×
- μετανοήσατε2×
- μετανοεῖτε·2×
- μετενόησαν·¶1×
- μετανοῶσιν,1×
- μετανοῶ,1×
- μετανοῆσαι1×
- μετανοήσῃς.1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 15:7
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
This verse highlights the heavenly joy that accompanies a genuine change of heart, showing repentance as a cause for celebration rather than shame.
-
Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Peter links repentance directly to baptism and the forgiveness of sins, presenting it as the essential first step in receiving the Holy Spirit.
-
Matthew 12:41
The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.
Jesus uses the Ninevites’ response to Jonah to illustrate that true repentance involves a decisive action based on God’s message, not just words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does metanoeō mean in Greek?
Is repentance just feeling sorry for sin?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (32 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 5 verses
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
Matthew 4:17From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 11:20Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent.
Matthew 11:21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done…
Matthew 12:41The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the…