νεανίας (neanias)
neanias
young man
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun neanias denotes a young man or youth, typically referring to someone in the prime of life. While it generally implies early adulthood, the sources note that it can be applied even to a man as old as forty, highlighting its flexibility in marking vitality rather than strict age brackets.
In the New Testament, this word appears only three times, all within the Book of Acts. It describes specific individuals involved in critical narrative moments: Stephen’s accusers (Acts 7:58), a young man who fell from a window during Paul’s long sermon (Acts 20:9), and the young men sent to escort Paul to Rome (Acts 23:17-18). This concentrated usage suggests it often refers to specific, active figures in the early church’s history rather than serving as a general term for youth.
Its Old Testament background provides further context, where it translates Hebrew words like na’ar and bachur. These terms cover a range from boyhood to young adulthood, reinforcing that neanias captures a stage of life characterized by energy and potential, bridging the gap between childhood and full maturity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word neanias points to a person in the prime of life, often carrying an air of energy and potential. In Acts, it appears just three times, each time attached to someone caught up in significant moments of faith and danger. It is not merely a label for age but a reminder that God uses people at every stage of life, even those in their youth.
Consider the young man named Eutychus, who fell from a window while listening to Paul. His accident was sudden and frightening, yet it did not end his story. Similarly, Saul stood nearby as Stephen was martyred, a witness whose life would soon change completely. These accounts show that vitality and spiritual significance often go hand in hand.
When you encounter this word, think of the energy and openness that come with youth. It is a time for learning, serving, and stepping into God’s plans. The early church was filled with such individuals who became pillars of faith. May you find encouragement in knowing that your current season is part of a larger story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- young man2×
- of a young man1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- νεανίου1×
- νεανίας1×
- νεανίαν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 7:58
They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
This verse identifies Saul as the young man present at Stephen’s stoning, marking the beginning of his transformation from persecutor to apostle.
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Acts 20:9
A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead.
Eutychus is described here as a young man whose deep sleep led to a fatal fall, highlighting the physical vulnerability even in moments of spiritual focus.
-
Acts 23:17
Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”
Paul refers to a young man as his messenger, showing how trust and responsibility were placed in the hands of those in their prime during times of crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word neanias mean?
Where does neanias appear in the Bible?
How is neanias different from other words for youth?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Acts 3 verses
They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named…
Acts 20:9A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being…
Acts 23:17Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to…