Dictionary of Bible Themes: 6735 repentance, examples of

6735 repentance, examples of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Scripture provides examples to illustrate the importance of repentance for individuals and communities.

The repentance of individuals

The call to personal repentance

Examples of individual repentance

Numbers 22:31-35 Balaam; 2 Samuel 24:10 pp 1 Chronicles 21:8 David, after taking a census; 1 Kings 21:27-29 Ahab; 2 Kings 22:19 Josiah; Job 42:6 Job; Psalm 51:1-17 David, following his adultery with Bathsheba; Luke 15:21 the prodigal son; Luke 18:13 the tax collector in the temple; Matthew 26:75 pp Mark 14:72 pp Luke 22:61-62 Peter's sorrow after denying Jesus Christ; John 21:15-17 Peter's confession and reinstatement; Acts 8:22-24 Simon the sorcerer's repentance may not have been genuine.

Corporate repentance

Examples of corporate repentance

Jeremiah 18:7-8; Matthew 3:1-6 pp Mark 1:1-6 pp Luke 3:1-6 See also Numbers 21:7 Israel in the desert; Judges 10:15-16 Israel in the time of the judges; 1 Samuel 7:3-4 Israel, after asking for a king; Isaiah 19:22 Egypt turns to God in repentance; Acts 9:32-35 the people of Lydda and Sharon

Leaders encouraged corporate repentance

Ezra 10:1 See also 2 Kings 23:1-7 Josiah leads Judah in repentance; 2 Chronicles 15:8-15 Asa leads Judah in repentance; 2 Chronicles 30:6-9 Hezekiah leads Israel and Judah in repentance; Ezra 10:10-12 Following the exile, Ezra leads the Israelites in repentance; Jonah 3:6-8 The king of Nineveh leads the people in repentance.

Corporate repentance within the church

Symbols of repentance