3341. metanoia
Lexical Summary
metanoia: Repentance

Original Word: μετάνοια
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: metanoia
Pronunciation: meh-tah'-noy-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (met-an'-oy-ah)
KJV: repentance
NASB: repentance
Word Origin: [from G3340 (μετανοέω - repent)]

1. (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation)
2. (by implication) reversal (of (another's) decision)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
repentance.

From metanoeo; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision) -- repentance.

see GREEK metanoeo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 3341 metánoia – literally, "a change of mind" ("after-thought"); repentance. See 3340 /metanoeō ("repent").

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from metanoeó
Definition
change of mind, repentance
NASB Translation
repentance (22).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3341: μετάνοια

μετάνοια, μετανοίας, (μετανοέω), a change of mind: as it appears in one who repents of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done, Hebrews 12:17 on which see εὑρίσκω, 3 ((Thucydides 3, 36, 3); Polybius 4, 66, 7; Plutarch, Peric c. 10; mor., p. 26 a.; τῆς ἀδελφοκτονιας μετάνοια, Josephus, Antiquities 13, 11, 3); especially the change of mind of those who have begun to abhor their errors and misdeeds, and have determined to enter upon a better course of life, so that it embraces both a recognition of sin and sorrow for it and hearty amendment, the tokens and effects of which are good deeds (Lactantius, 6, 24, 6 would have it rendered in Latin byresipiscentia) (A. V. repentance): Matthew 3:8, 11; Luke 3:8, (16 Lachmann); Luke 15:7; Luke 24:47; Acts 26:20; βάπτισμα μετανοίας, a baptism binding its subjects to repentance (Winer's Grammar, § 30, 2 β.), Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 13:24; Acts 19:4; ( εἰς (τόν) Θεόν μετάνοια, Acts 20:21, see μετανοέω, at the end); διδόναι τίνι μετάνοιαν, to give one the ability to repent, or to cause him to repent, Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25; τινα εἰς μετάνοιαν καλεῖν, Luke 5:32, and Rec. in Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; ἄγειν, Romans 2:4 (Josephus, Antiquities 4, 6, 10 at the end); ἀνακαινίζειν, Hebrews 6:6; χωρῆσαι εἰς μετάνοιαν, to come to the point of repenting, or be brought to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9 (but see χωρέω, 1 at the end); μετάνοια ἀπό νεκρῶν ἔργων, that change of mind by which we turn from, desist from, etc. Hebrews 6:1 (Buttmann, 322 (277)); used merely of the improved spiritual state resulting from deep sorrow for sin, 2 Corinthians 7:9f (Sir. 44:16: Wis. 11:24 (23); ; Or. Man. f ((cf. the Sept. edition Tdf. Prolog., p. 112f)); Philo, qued det. pot. insid. § 26 at the beginning; Antoninus 8, 10; (Cebes, tab. 10 at the end).)

Topical Lexicon
Conceptual Essence

Strong’s Greek 3341, most often translated “repentance,” expresses a Spirit‐wrought reorientation of mind and heart that issues in a changed life. It is never presented as a mere intellectual shift, nor as a work that earns salvation, but as the God‐enabled turning that accompanies true saving faith.

Old Testament Antecedents

While the Hebrew Scriptures employ verbs such as שׁוּב (turn/return) and נחם (be sorrowful, relent), the New Testament term gathers up the prophets’ dual emphasis: grieving over sin and decisively returning to the LORD (for example, Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 3:12-14). Thus 3341 carries forward the covenant summons to forsake idols and embrace the living God.

Prophetic Forerunner Ministry

John the Baptist heralded the kingdom by calling Israel to baptism “of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). His demand was ethical (“Produce fruit worthy of repentance,” Matthew 3:8) and preparatory, aiming hearts toward “the Lamb of God” revealed in Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ Teaching

Though the noun appears only twice on the lips of Jesus (Matthew 3:11 through John; Luke 24:47 in His post-resurrection commission), His preaching constantly demanded repentance (see Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:3). In Luke 24:47 He roots world evangelization in “repentance for the forgiveness of sins … in His name,” binding the missionary mandate to the call for moral and spiritual turnaround.

Apostolic Proclamation

Acts displays repentance as foundational in apostolic preaching:
• At Pentecost Peter instructs the crowd to repent (verb form) and receive baptism (Acts 2:38).
• Later, “God has granted the Gentiles also repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18).
• Paul summarizes his entire ministry: “testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).

Repentance is therefore neither ethnic nor cultural; it is universally required.

Repentance and Faith

Repentance and faith are distinct yet inseparable graces. Paul pairs them in Acts 20:21, and Hebrews 6:1 lists “repentance from dead works and faith in God” as foundational. Repentance faces sin; faith embraces the Savior. Together they describe conversion.

Source and Gift

Scripture affirms human responsibility (“Repent!”) while declaring repentance a divine gift. God exalted Christ “to give repentance to Israel” (Acts 5:31) and later extends the same grace to the nations (Acts 11:18). 2 Timothy 2:25 speaks of “God granting them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” Divine initiative safeguards grace; human response vindicates justice.

Moral Fruitfulness

Genuine repentance is observable. John demanded visible fruit (Matthew 3:8). Paul preached that men “should repent and turn to God, performing works worthy of repentance” (Acts 26:20). 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 distinguishes godly sorrow that “produces repentance leading to salvation” from worldly grief that ends in death. Transformation validates profession.

Warnings Against Spurious Repentance

Hebrews 6:6 portrays apostasy where “it is impossible to be restored again to repentance,” and Hebrews 12:17 recalls Esau, who “found no place for repentance, though he sought it with tears.” These warnings underscore the peril of resisting grace until the opportunity is irrevocably lost.

Divine Patience and Eschatology

2 Peter 3:9 explains the apparent delay of Christ’s return: the Lord is “patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” Repentance therefore occupies an eschatological function; history is prolonged so sinners may yet turn.

Pastoral and Discipleship Implications

1. Preaching: Gospel proclamation remains incomplete without a summons to repent.
2. Counseling: Genuine conversion assessment looks for sorrow over sin and new obedience.
3. Church Discipline: Restoration aims at bringing the offender to repentance (cf. 2 Corinthians 7).
4. Evangelism: Confidence rests in God’s ability to grant repentance even to the hardest heart.

Historical Impact

From the early church catechumenate to the Reformation’s cry of “Repent,” 3341 has shaped evangelistic method and doctrinal clarity. Revival movements consistently testify that renewed emphasis on repentance precedes widespread spiritual awakening.

Summary

Strong’s 3341 captures the biblical imperative and gracious provision whereby sinners abandon sin and turn to God. Rooted in the prophetic tradition, ratified by Christ, preached by apostles, and empowered by the Spirit, repentance stands as the gateway to life and the ongoing posture of every follower of Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
μετανοιαν μετάνοιαν μετάνοιάν μετανοιας μετανοίας metanoian metánoian metánoián metanoias metanoías
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 3:8 N-GFS
GRK: ἄξιον τῆς μετανοίας
NAS: fruit in keeping with repentance;
KJV: fruits meet for repentance:
INT: worthy of repentance

Matthew 3:11 N-AFS
GRK: ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν ὁ δὲ
NAS: you with water for repentance, but He who is coming
KJV: unto repentance: but
INT: water to repentance moreover

Mark 1:4 N-GFS
GRK: κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν
NAS: a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness
KJV: the baptism of repentance for
INT: proclaiming [a] baptism of repentance for forgiveness

Luke 3:3 N-GFS
GRK: κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν
NAS: a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness
KJV: the baptism of repentance for
INT: proclaiming [the] baptism of repentance for forgiveness

Luke 3:8 N-GFS
GRK: ἀξίους τῆς μετανοίας καὶ μὴ
NAS: in keeping with repentance, and do not begin
KJV: fruits worthy of repentance, and begin
INT: worthy of repentance and not

Luke 5:32 N-AFS
GRK: ἁμαρτωλοὺς εἰς μετάνοιαν
NAS: but sinners to repentance.
KJV: sinners to repentance.
INT: sinners to repentance

Luke 15:7 N-GFS
GRK: χρείαν ἔχουσιν μετανοίας
NAS: need no repentance.
KJV: need no repentance.
INT: need have of repentance

Luke 24:47 N-AFS
GRK: ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν εἰς ἄφεσιν
NAS: and that repentance for forgiveness
KJV: And that repentance and remission
INT: name of him repentance and forgiveness

Acts 5:31 N-AFS
GRK: τοῦ δοῦναι μετάνοιαν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ
NAS: to grant repentance to Israel,
KJV: for to give repentance to Israel,
INT: to give repentance to Israel

Acts 11:18 N-AFS
GRK: θεὸς τὴν μετάνοιαν εἰς ζωὴν
NAS: also the repentance [that leads] to life.
KJV: granted repentance unto
INT: God repentance unto life

Acts 13:24 N-GFS
GRK: αὐτοῦ βάπτισμα μετανοίας παντὶ τῷ
NAS: a baptism of repentance to all
KJV: the baptism of repentance to all
INT: of him a baptism of repentance to all the

Acts 19:4 N-GFS
GRK: ἐβάπτισεν βάπτισμα μετανοίας τῷ λαῷ
NAS: with the baptism of repentance, telling
KJV: with the baptism of repentance, saying
INT: baptized [with] a baptism of repentance to the people

Acts 20:21 N-AFS
GRK: εἰς θεὸν μετάνοιαν καὶ πίστιν
NAS: and Greeks of repentance toward
KJV: to the Greeks, repentance toward
INT: toward God repentance and faith

Acts 26:20 N-GFS
GRK: ἄξια τῆς μετανοίας ἔργα πράσσοντας
NAS: deeds appropriate to repentance.
KJV: works meet for repentance.
INT: worthy of the repentance works doing

Romans 2:4 N-AFS
GRK: θεοῦ εἰς μετάνοιάν σε ἄγει
NAS: of God leads you to repentance?
KJV: thee to repentance?
INT: of God to repentance you leads

2 Corinthians 7:9 N-AFS
GRK: ἐλυπήθητε εἰς μετάνοιαν ἐλυπήθητε γὰρ
NAS: but that you were made sorrowful to [the point of] repentance; for you were made sorrowful
KJV: to repentance: for
INT: you were grieved to repentance you were grieved indeed

2 Corinthians 7:10 N-AFS
GRK: θεὸν λύπη μετάνοιαν εἰς σωτηρίαν
NAS: produces a repentance without regret,
KJV: sorrow worketh repentance to salvation
INT: God grief repentance to salvation

2 Timothy 2:25 N-AFS
GRK: ὁ θεὸς μετάνοιαν εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν
NAS: may grant them repentance leading
KJV: them repentance to
INT: God repentance to acknowledgment

Hebrews 6:1 N-GFS
GRK: θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπὸ νεκρῶν
NAS: a foundation of repentance from dead
KJV: the foundation of repentance from
INT: a foundation laying of repentance from dead

Hebrews 6:6 N-AFS
GRK: ἀνακαινίζειν εἰς μετάνοιαν ἀνασταυροῦντας ἑαυτοῖς
NAS: them again to repentance, since they again crucify
KJV: unto repentance; seeing they crucify
INT: to renew to repentance crucifying for themselves

Hebrews 12:17 N-GFS
GRK: εὐλογίαν ἀπεδοκιμάσθη μετανοίας γὰρ τόπον
NAS: place for repentance, though
KJV: place of repentance, though
INT: blessing he was rejected of repentance indeed place

2 Peter 3:9 N-AFS
GRK: πάντας εἰς μετάνοιαν χωρῆσαι
NAS: but for all to come to repentance.
KJV: should come to repentance.
INT: all to repentance to come

Strong's Greek 3341
22 Occurrences


μετάνοιαν — 12 Occ.
μετανοίας — 10 Occ.

3340
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