← G3339 G3341 →

μετανοέω

metanoéō

G3340 verb

SILEX Entry

Root μετα-νοε- to reconsider, to change one's mind, to rethink

Definition

To change one's mind or purpose; specifically, to adopt a new perspective or attitude, often in response to new information or realization. In Koine usage, particularly in Judean and early Christian contexts, it frequently refers to a shift in one's disposition or a turning away from previous behavior, sometimes with an emphasis on remorse and transformation in conduct. The primary meaning is to undergo a change of mind—this can be purely cognitive (reconsider, rethink) or involve an element of remorse leading to altered life-direction (reform, turn about).

Semantic Range

to change one’s mind, to reconsider, to feel remorse and change behavior, to adopt a new purpose or direction, to undergo a transformation in thinking or disposition

Root / Etymology

From μετά (with, after) and νοέω (to perceive, to think), thus literally 'to perceive after' or 'to change one’s mind/thoughts'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μετανοέω is not common and typically has the neutral sense of 'change one’s mind.' In the Septuagint, it is used to translate Hebrew terms that denote returning or changing disposition, sometimes associated with remorse (e.g., שׁוב shuv, 'turn, return' or נָחַם nacham, 'regret, be sorry'); in these contexts, it emphasizes a personal transformation, not merely emotional regret. In the New Testament, the verb predominates in calls for ethical or spiritual reorientation, in the sense of rethinking and altering one's direction in life or allegiance, especially in prophetic, John the Baptist, and Jesus traditions. Traditional English translations render it as 'repent,' but the nuance of an inward change of mindset is often more central in Greek usage than the sense of penitence or sorrow emphasized in later Christian doctrine. The term should be distinguished from μεταμέλομαι (G3338), which emphasizes regret or feeling sorry for an action, whereas μετανοέω involves the idea of a changed perspective and conduct.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μετά and νοιέω; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent.

Root Family

μετανοέω (metanoeō) — to reconsider, to change one's mind, to rethink

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3340-14 μετενόησαν metenoesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they repented they changed their minds 9
G3340-08 μετανόησον metanoeson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Repent Change your mind 5
G3340-02 μετανοεῖτε metanoeite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL repent Change your minds 3
G3340-13 μετανοοῦντι metanoounti V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG who repents to the one reconsidering 2
G3340-09 μετανοήσουσιν metanoesousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL they will repent they will change their minds 2
G3340-06 μετανοήσῃ metanoese V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG he repents he might reconsider 2
G3340-05 μετανοήσατε metanoesate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Repent Change your minds 2
G3340-01 μετανοεῖν metanoein V PRS ACT INF to repent to change one's mind 2
G3340-10 μετανοῆτε metanoete V PRS ACT SUBJ 2P PL you repent you (pl.) should reconsider 2
G3340-03 μετανοῆσαι metanoesai V AOR ACT INF to change one’s mind 1

Occurrences in Scripture

34 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3340-02 Matthew 3:2 μετανοεῖτε metanoeite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL Repent Change your minds
G3340-02 Matthew 4:17 μετανοεῖτε metanoeite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL Change your minds
G3340-14 Matthew 11:20 μετενόησαν metenoesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they changed their minds
G3340-14 Matthew 11:21 μετενόησαν metenoesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they changed their minds
G3340-14 Matthew 12:41 μετενόησαν metenoesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they changed their minds
G3340-02 Mark 1:15 μετανοεῖτε metanoeite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL repent Change your minds
G3340-12 Mark 6:12 μετανοῶσιν metanoosin V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL they should repent they may be reconsidering
G3340-14 Luke 10:13 μετενόησαν metenoesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they would have repented they changed their minds
G3340-14 Luke 11:32 μετενόησαν metenoesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they repented they changed their minds
G3340-10 Luke 13:3 μετανοῆτε metanoete V PRS ACT SUBJ 2P PL you repent you (pl.) should reconsider
← G3339 Greek Lexicon G3341 →