What does the word repent actually mean in the Bible? Does repentance mean a change of mind, turning from sin, or something else entirely?
In this video, we examine the biblical meaning of repentance by looking closely at:
The Greek word μετανοέω (metanoeō)
The Hebrew words נָחַם (nāḥam) and שׁוּב (shuv)
The Old Testament account of Jonah and Nineveh
How the Septuagint (LXX) connects the Old and New Testaments
And most importantly how Jesus describes repentance via His statement in Matthew 12:41
We also address common claims like:
“Repent just means change your mind”
“Repentance always means turning from sin”
Using context and language usage this video shows that repentance in Scripture is action oriented (doing differently), not merely an internal mental shift—and not automatically a condition for eternal life (it's never a condition for eternal life).
I just watched the featured video titled "What does 'repent' mean in the Bible?" and I'd like to share a few thoughts about it. Sadly, it exhibits some of the worst mishandling of Scripture that I've seen in quite a while. The host tried to use the example of the Ninevites to prove that the word "repentance" in the Bible means to "do differently." But rather than prove it, he did a royal face plant! While he rightly connected Matthew 12:41 with Jonah 3:5, he went on to say that what defined the Ninevite's repentance wasn't that they "believed God" (Jonah 3:5), but rather that they did certain things after that such as fasting and putting on sackcloth and sitting on ashes. (The host in the video apparently failed to notice the little word "and" in Jonah 3:5, showing that the good works which followed the Ninevite's faith where separate and distinct from it!) I guess the Roman Catholics have it right then, when they put a bit of ash on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday and when they "do penance"? Maybe we should all become Roman Catholics? Oh yeah, but the host said he doesn't view repentance as having anything to do with salvation. How convenient to just skip over all those Scriptures which indicate that it does! Consider the many examples of apostolic preaching in the book of Acts. The Apostles clearly included repentance in their salvation invitations when they preached the gospel. But apparently they were just confused, or confusing. Actually I think it's the guy in the video who is confused, not the Apostles! But getting back to the video, the host said that when "God repented" (Jonah 3:10, KJV), it means He changed His actions. My response is that the change of action actually corresponds to the following statement in verse 10 that says "and He did not do it." No offense, but it's simple English grammar. The "and He did not do it" is an additional step after the initial repentance. I mean, if words mean anything (which they do). To say it another way, the phrase "God repented" (Jonah 3:10a) is prior to and distinct from the action suggested by the phrase "and He did not do it" (Jonah 3:10b). So those are two different things. But the host in the video was lumping them together and saying they are the same thing. No, do you know what the word "and" means? God first changed his mind (repented), and then he acted on it. The "repent and do" phrasing in Jonah 3:5 and Jonah 3:10 is similar to what the Bible says in Matthew 3:8 and Luke 3:8. Do we know our Bibles? Obviously the guy in the video needs to do a bit more studying, I'd say (see 2 Tim. 2:15, KJV). Just a word of encouragement there!
Right on Joe! I totally agree. And speaking of the book of Hebrews, take a look at what it says in Hebrews 12:17. It's a classic verse illustrating that the meaning of "repentance" (Greek: metanoia) doesn't inherently mean a turning from sins, but rather it simply means "a change of mind." Hebrews 12:17 in the very literal American Standard Version of 1901 says: "For ye know that even when [Esau] afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind [metanoia] in his father, though he sought it diligently with tears." Most translations say "repentance" instead of "a change of mind," but Smith's Literal Translation (for example) also says "a change of mind."
Someone may object that Hebrews 12:17 isn't speaking of eternal salvation, and I agree. But that actually strengthens my point that the word "repentance" simply means a change of mind, because what the "change of mind" is about must be determined by its context. It's sort of like saying "a dozen"...a dozen what? That must also be determined by context. Just because someone says "a dozen eggs" in one context doesn't mean that's the meaning of the word. The word simply means "dozen" (i.e. 12) and what it's in reference to must be determined by context. It's the same idea with the word "repentance" (metanoia) in the New Testament. The Greek word metanoia simply means "a change of mind," and what it is in reference to must be determined by context.
I wrote an article on the topic of repentance titled "The Meaning of Repentance: Quotes from the Ancients, Lexicons, and Theologians" (FGFS, May 21, 2021) in which I trace the historical meaning of the word down through the centuries. The Greek word means "a change of mind," plain and simple. The Greek word can also be translated "change of heart," "change of thinking," "come to one's senses," "reconsider," and "return to a right mind," to name a few. H. A. Ironside liked to describe biblical repentance as "a change of attitude." That is also a valid definition. You will notice that all the meanings I've mentioned refer to an internal change, a change of mind/heart. That's the idea. Theologians unnecessarily complicate and distort the meaning of repentance when they add external works into the meaning of the word. Good works are fruits of repentance (cf. Matt. 3:8; Lk 3:8; Acts 26:20), not repentance itself.
Your whole argument is destroyed when reading Hebrews 6:1:
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,"
Wait, wut? But I thought repentance was "doing" differently not "merely a change of mind", and yet this foundation that ALL Christians start with is exactly that. We cease trying to work for our salvation and we place all our faith in Christ alone and His finished work. That is "repentance". And it this crucial context it is CLEARLY a "mere" change of mind.