To CHANGE THE MIND — meta ('after, differently') + noeō ('to think'): to think again, and so to turn. Behind the Greek stands Hebrew shuv, to TURN AROUND, the prophets' own summons, so the word asks for a reversal of direction and not a mood of regret. ⚠ It is also the most consequential translation dispute in Christian history. The Vulgate rendered it poenitentiam agite, 'do penance', which is what Douay-Rheims still prints at Matthew 3:2 — and in 1516 Erasmus argued from the Greek that the word means a change of mind rather than an act of satisfaction. Luther read him; the FIRST of the Ninety-Five Theses is an argument about this verb. KJV/Geneva/ASV/NIV/NWT all read 'repent'. Note what John does NOT let it stay inward: 'produce fruit worthy of repentance' (3:8). → first discussed at Matt 3:2