Metánoia (Repentance): A Major Theme of the Gospel of Matthew

by ChoongJae Lee

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2020

Overview

Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus's ministry with the summary words, "μετανοεῖτε (repent/turn), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (3:2; 4:17). Why does Matthew use this command, μετανοεῖτε, at the beginning of his ministry, and how does it relate to the rest of the Gospel? What do μετανοέω and μετάνοια mean? Scholars have stated that μετανοέω in 4:17 has critical value for understanding Matthew because the verse functions as a summary statement (or key phrase) of Jesus's public ministry and teaching. This book argues the thematic significance of μετάνοια (turning/repentance) in the Gospel of Matthew. The lexical idea of μετανοέω and μετάνοια involves a turning of mind (or heart, will, thinking) and behavior, and so in turn of one's whole being and life. This opening commandment of turning (μετανοέω), especially the concept, the essence, and the contents is fully revealed throughout the body of Matthew in various ways. Discipleship, the language of righteousness, doing the will of God, changing one's heart and mind, the Great Commission, and Matthean soteriological theme convey the essence of μετάνοια and the contents of the fruit worthy of μετάνοια(3:2, 8; 4:17). The five major teaching blocks (5-7; 10; 13; 18; 23-25) teach the theme and the content of μετάνοια.

Key Features

• Argues the thematic significance of μετάνοια (turning/repentance) in the Gospel of Matthew.
• Illustrates how repentance is reflected throughout the Gospel of Matthew.
• Demonstrates the crucial significance of the theme of repentance in Matthew.

Praise for the Print Edition

ChoongJae Lee does the important work of showing how the theme of repentance is reflected throughout the Gospel of Matthew and establishes its thematic and paradigmatic significance for that Gospel. In my opinion this provides an important key to the way the Gospel was intended to be read and I am happy to see the publication of this valuable work.

—Roy E. Ciampa, Samford University

Lee persuasively argues that the concept of repentance is far more important to the Gospel of Matthew than most previous studies indicate. I hope that his book will be widely read and will influence scholars to devote more attention to this neglected emphasis of the Gospel.

—Charles L. Quarles, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Sometimes we all miss the obvious, and Lee contends that scholars have missed the crucial significance of the theme of repentance in Matthew. He effectively establishes that metánoia is indeed a key idea in the First Gospel, and that much may be profitably subsumed under it.

—Dale C. Allison Jr., Princeton Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Metánoia (Repentance): A Major Theme of the Gospel of Matthew
• Author: ChoongJae Lee
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2020
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• ISBNs: 9781725261044, 1725261049
• Resource ID: LLS:MTNRPNTNCGMTTHW
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-01-03T20:10:39Z

About ChoongJae Lee

ChoongJae Lee was adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary at Charlotte and is adjunct professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his PhD in New Testament from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 2018. He has also been an active member of the Evangelical Theological Society since 2013.