The Strand Study Bible

MATTHEW MATTHEW 27:3 This word ( repented ) is the Greek word PHτDPHOKθHL9 ( metameletheis ). It is taken from two Greek words: PHτD ( meta ) meaning “ after ” and PHOο ( melo ) meaning “to care for.” The word literally means, “to have regret; to be remorseful.” Metameletheis, which is used only seven times in the NT (Mt 21:29,32 & 27:3, Rom 11:29, II Cor 7:8,10 and Heb 7:21), is not the same Greek word translated “repent/repentance” in Matthew 3:1-2 and II Peter 3:9. The word ( repent/repentance ) in Matthew 3:2 and II Peter 3:9 is the Greek word µετανοεοω (metanoeo), not PHτDPHOKθHL9 ( metameletheis ). Whereas metameletheis (remorse) may include “turning from sin,” metanoeo (after thought) does not. Thus “turning from sin” in order to be saved is not scriptural ( Jonah 3:5 ). “Turning from sin” didn’t save Judas. He “turned from his sin” of betraying Jesus by returning the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, and it still wasn’t enough to save him. Like the thief on the cross who never had an opportunity to “turn from his sin,” we, like him, can only “acknowledge our sinfulness” ( metanoeo ) in order to be saved (Lk 23:40-41). Fact: Judas did not repent (have regret/remorse) as to who he was (he was a sinner in need of salvation); he only regretted what he had done to an innocent man. Being sorry for sin is not the same as being sorry for being sinful. Until a person sees himself as being “sinfully” sick, he will never see his need for the “spiritual doctor” (the SAVIOR – Lk 5:31-32). THE ADAGE IS TRUE: Our problem is not in what we do before God, but in what we are before God NOTE – There are ten questions concerning repentance that need to be answered correctly before we can properly define what repentance is: Question #1: Was Judas repenting here in Matthew 27:1-3 in order to be saved? Answer: No. Judas here was not repenting (µετανοεω) in order to receive salvation, he was only “regretting” ( PHτDPHOKθHL9 ) what he had done to an innocent man (Jesus). Question #2: Is this word ( repented ) in Matthew 27:3 the same Greek word that is used to define repentance for salvation in Matthew 3:2 and II Peter 3:9? Answer: No. These two words are two completely different words in the Greek. Whereas PHτDPHOKθHL9 (Mt 27:3) means “to feel bad; to have remorse,” µετανοεω (Mt 3:2 and II Pet 3:9) means “to change your mind.” Question #3: Is repentance (µετανοεω) necessary for salvation? Answer: Yes (Mt 3:2). “Changing your mind” (µετανοεω) about “who you are” and “who Jesus is” is necessary for salvation (Lk 23:39-43). Repentance unto salvation has everything to do with “changing your mind ( after thought ),” not changing your life (by turning from sin). Repentance is not, “Look what I’ve done for Jesus. I’ve turned from sin and changed my life so that I could come to salvation,” but rather, “Look what Jesus did for me! I was headed to Hell because of sin, and yet, He was willing to save me.” True repentance for salvation occurs the moment people “turn to God” by changing their minds about two things: 1. Who we are (Lk 5:31-32 & 13:1-5 and Mt 27:3) God tells us that we are “sinfully” sick and in need of the Savior and that we cannot save ourselves (Rom 3:10,23). 2. Who CHRIST is (Mt 4:13-17 & 11:20-24, Mk 1:15 and Acts 3:12-19) Christ IS God (Jn 8:24,58-59), not “a” god. Answer: No. Sometimes it (µετανοεω) deals with sanctification. True repentance concerning sanctification , which occurs 17 times in the NT (Lk 15:7,7,10 & 17:3-4, Acts 8:22, II Cor 7:9 & 12:21, Heb 6:6 and Rev 2:5,5, 16,21,21,22 & 3:3,19), occurs whenever a Christian “changes his mind” ( repents ) concerning his sin and agrees with God that it’s wrong. and II Cor 7:8-10). Repentance unto salvation may include remorse (made you sorry) , but remorse is not repentance. Judas may have been remorseful (Mt 27:3-4) over what he had done to Jesus, but he did not “change his mind” (repent) as to who he was (he was a sinner in need of salvation); he only regretted what he had done to an innocent man. You can weep over sin and even express great remorse, but until you “change your mind” and agree with God as to who you are and who Jesus is (Lk 23:39-43), you have not repented unto salvation. Answer: Yes, sometimes (II Cor 7:9). Repentance unto salvation may include sorrow (ye were made sorry) , but sorrow for sin is not repentance. Hell is full of sorrow , but only for the consequences of sin. The rich man who died and went to Hell uttered not a word of sorrow for his actions, only sorrow for his pain (Lk 16:19-31). You can weep over sin and even express great sorrow , but until you “change your mind” and agree with God as to who you are and who Jesus is (Lk 23:39-43), you have not repented unto salvation. Answer: Yes, sometimes (II Cor 7:10). Repentance unto salvation may include conviction (after a godly manner) , but conviction is not repentance. If so, then Felix “repented” when he trembled before Paul (Acts 24:24-25). You may be convicted that you are a sinner and even admit that you are lost, but repentance is a two-sided coin. You not only have to “change your mind” as to who you are, you have to also “change your mind” as to who Jesus is and call upon Him to be your Savior (Rom 10:9-13). Otherwise, you have not repented unto salvation. Answer: Yes (Gen 6:6, Deut 32:14,36, Jonah 3:9-10). Does that mean God has sinned? The answer is “no” (Num 23:19 and I Sam 15:29). God repents in the same way that men repent –He changes His mind. Fact: Repentance cannot mean one thing for humans and another thing for God. Therefore, true repentance unto 1557 Question #4: Does repentance always deal with salvation? Question #5: Does repentance unto salvation (µετανοεω) include remorse ( PHτDPHOKθHL9 )? Answer: Yes, sometimes (Mt 21:32 Question #6: Does repentance include sorrow ? Question #7: Does repentance include conviction ? Question #8: Does God ever repent ?