Matthew 3:8

ποιήσατε. Aorist imperative, denoting complete and immemediate action. See Donaldson Gk. Gram. 427 (a).

μετάνοια. Rare in classical writers, joined by Thuc. with ἀναλογισμός (III. 36). Cp. also μετάνοια δεινὴ τοὺς Ἀθηναίους καὶ πόθος ἔσχε τοῦ Κιμῶνος, and Plut. p. 452, ἡ νουθεσία καὶ ὁ ψόγος ἐμποιεῖ μετάνοιαν καὶ αἰσχύνην. The meaning deepens with Christianity. It is not adequately translated by ‘repentance.’ The marginal reading of A.V. ‘amendment of life’ is better. It implies that revolution in the religious life which Christianity effected and still effects. It is the starting point in the faith—a rudimentary doctrine: μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας�. Hebrews 6:1. The Vulgate translates μετάνοια ‘pœnitentia,’ Beza’s rendering, resipiscentia, raised a stormy controversy. Neither word entirely covers μετάνοια, which implies both sorrow for the past and change of heart.