μετάνοια

G3341 is the noun repentance. Its twenty-two governed occurrences name repentance as proclaimed, embodied, granted, produced, foundational, sought, and patiently desired. John calls for fruit consistent with repentance and administers a baptism of repentance. Luke joins repentance to Jesus' mission toward sinners, heaven's joy, and the worldwide proclamation of repentance for forgiveness in Christ's name.

Acts speaks of repentance with baptism, forgiveness, life, turning toward God, and deeds consistent with the change professed. Romans 2:4 says God's kindness is meant to lead the morally presumptuous person to repentance. In 2 Corinthians 7, godly sorrow produces repentance without regret, while the noun is not equated with sorrow itself. Second Timothy locates repentance within God's gift leading to knowledge of truth.

Hebrews uses the noun in difficult warnings that require paragraph-level care, including Esau's failed search in 12:17, where the precise object of the sought change should not be settled by the gloss alone. Second Peter 3:9 places repentance within the Lord's patience. The noun therefore does not name a human payment for grace or one required emotional display.

It names a turning whose source, fruit, and setting must be read from each passage.

The twenty-two-verse witness moves from John's call for fitting fruit, through Jesus' and the apostles' proclamation, into teaching about divine kindness, godly sorrow, correction, warning, and patient mercy.