3495. neaniskos
Lexical Summary
neaniskos: young man, young men

Original Word: νεανίσκος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: neaniskos
Pronunciation: neh-ah-NEES-kos
Phonetic Spelling: (neh-an-is'-kos)
KJV: young man
NASB: young man, young men
Word Origin: [from a derivative of G3501 (νέος - New)]

1. a youth (under forty)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
young man.

From the same as neanias; a youth (under forty) -- young man.

see GREEK neanias

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from neanias
Definition
a young man, a youth
NASB Translation
young man (7), young men (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3495: νεανίσκος

νεανίσκος, νεανίσκου, (from νέαν, see νεανίας; on the ending νεανίσκος, νεανισκη, which has diminutive force, as ἀνθρωπίσκος, βασιλίσκος, παιδίσκη, etc., cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 443), from Herodotus down; the Sept. chiefly for בָּחוּר and נַעַר; a young man, youth: Matthew 19:20, 22; Mark 14:51a; Mark 16:5; Luke 7:14; Acts 2:17; (and L T Tr WH in (here WH marginal reading only), ); 1 John 2:13f; like נַעַר (2 Samuel 2:14; Genesis 14:24, etc.; cf. German Bursche, Knappe equivalent to Knabe (cf. our colloquial boys, lads )) used of a young attendant or servant: so the plural in Mark 14:51 Rec.; Acts 5:10.

Topical Lexicon
Overview of New Testament Usage

The word translated “young man/men” appears eleven times, describing males in the prime of physical vigor and formative decision-making. These occurrences span narrative, prophetic citation, and apostolic exhortation, providing a composite portrait of youthful potential and responsibility in the unfolding plan of redemption.

Gospel Narratives: Portraits of Promise and Peril

Luke 7:14 presents the only resurrection of a male outside the Twelve: “Then He went up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. ‘Young man,’ He said, ‘I tell you, rise!’ ”. The Lord’s compassionate authority over death highlights the value He assigns to youthful life and foreshadows the universal resurrection hope.

Matthew 19:20-22 depicts the “rich young man” whose zeal faltered before Christ’s demand of total surrender. His sorrowful departure warns that youthful advantages—wealth, health, moral earnestness—are insufficient apart from wholehearted discipleship.

Mark 14:51-52 shows an anonymous young man fleeing Gethsemane, symbolizing the vulnerability of the flesh when discipleship is tested. By contrast, Mark 16:5 records “a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side,” announcing the Resurrection. Early tradition sees in this juxtaposition the transformation Christ effects: natural timidity is exchanged for bold witness through resurrection power.

Acts: Ministry Roles in the Early Church

Acts 2:17 cites Joel: “your young men will see visions,” affirming that the Spirit equally endows younger believers for revelatory ministry. Acts 5:6,10 shows young men carrying out the burial of Ananias and Sapphira, modeling practical service tempered by reverent fear.

Paul’s nephew, called a “young man” in Acts 23:18,22, courageously exposes an assassination plot. His initiative demonstrates that youthful alertness and integrity can preserve the church’s mission.

Johannine Exhortation: Spiritual Strength and Victory

John addresses three spiritual age-groups; to the young men he twice declares, “you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:14). Here youthful energy is linked to doctrinal grounding and moral triumph, indicating that victory over Satan is achieved through Scripture-saturated lives.

Theological Themes

1. Vitality dedicated to Christ. Scripture depicts youth as a season of decisive orientation—toward self and possessions (Matthew 19) or toward obedience and witness (Acts 23; 1 John 2).
2. Readiness for service. Whether carrying out solemn tasks (Acts 5) or proclaiming resurrection hope (Mark 16), young men are expected to be available and responsive.
3. Spiritual empowerment. The Spirit’s outpouring (Acts 2) and the indwelling Word (1 John 2) equip the younger generation to fulfill prophetic and pastoral functions within the body.

Historical and Cultural Considerations

In first-century Judaism and Greco-Roman society, a “young man” was commonly between adolescence and approximately forty. Military service, civic duties, and apprenticeships often began in this span, making the group strategic for societal influence. The New Testament’s engagement with this demographic reflects an intentional missionary focus: winning those positioned for long-term impact.

Implications for Contemporary Ministry

• Discipleship must challenge youthful self-reliance, calling for radical surrender like that demanded of the rich young ruler.
• Churches should provide platforms for Spirit-gifted revelation and leadership among younger believers, as modeled at Pentecost.
• Training must emphasize Scripture retention and application, the avenue by which young men “overcome the evil one.”
• Practical service opportunities—caring for needs within the congregation—impart humility and reverence, echoing the Acts 5 example.
• Mentorship should harness youthful courage for the protection and advancement of gospel work, following Paul’s nephew’s vigilance.

Conclusion

Across resurrection scenes, moral tests, Spirit-empowered ministry, and apostolic counsel, Strong’s Greek 3495 highlights God’s high expectations for young men. Their physical strength, when coupled with abiding truth and yielded hearts, becomes a potent instrument in the sovereign advance of the kingdom.

Forms and Transliterations
νεανία νεανίας Νεανισκε Νεανίσκε νεανισκοι νεανίσκοι νεανίσκοις νεανισκον νεανίσκον νεανισκος νεανίσκος νεανίσκου νεανίσκους νεανίσκω νεανίσκων Neaniske Neaníske neaniskoi neanískoi neaniskon neanískon neaniskos neanískos
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 19:20 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτῷ ὁ νεανίσκος Ταῦτα πάντα
NAS: The young man said to Him, All
KJV: The young man saith unto him,
INT: to him the young man things All these

Matthew 19:22 N-NMS
GRK: δὲ ὁ νεανίσκος τὸν λόγον
NAS: But when the young man heard this
KJV: But when the young man heard
INT: moreover the young man the statement

Mark 14:51 N-NMS
GRK: Καὶ νεανίσκος τις συνηκολούθει
NAS: A young man was following Him, wearing
KJV: certain young man, having a linen cloth
INT: And [a] young man certain was following

Mark 16:5 N-AMS
GRK: μνημεῖον εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν
NAS: they saw a young man sitting
KJV: they saw a young man sitting
INT: tomb they saw a young man sitting on

Luke 7:14 N-VMS
GRK: καὶ εἶπεν Νεανίσκε σοὶ λέγω
NAS: And He said, Young man, I say
KJV: he said, Young man, I say
INT: And he said Young man to you I say

Acts 2:17 N-NMP
GRK: καὶ οἱ νεανίσκοι ὑμῶν ὁράσεις
NAS: SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE
KJV: and your young men shall see visions,
INT: and the young men of you visions

Acts 5:10 N-NMP
GRK: δὲ οἱ νεανίσκοι εὗρον αὐτὴν
NAS: and breathed her last, and the young men came
KJV: and the young men came in,
INT: moreover the young [men] found her

Acts 23:18 N-AMS
GRK: τοῦτον τὸν νεανίσκον ἀγαγεῖν πρὸς
INT: this young man to lead to

Acts 23:22 N-AMS
GRK: ἀπέλυσε τὸν νεανίσκον παραγγείλας μηδενὶ
NAS: let the young man go,
INT: dismissed the young man having instructed [him] to no one

1 John 2:13 N-VMP
GRK: γράφω ὑμῖν νεανίσκοι ὅτι νενικήκατε
NAS: I am writing to you, young men, because
KJV: unto you, young men, because
INT: I write to you young men because you have overcome

1 John 2:14 N-VMP
GRK: ἔγραψα ὑμῖν νεανίσκοι ὅτι ἰσχυροί
NAS: I have written to you, young men, because
KJV: unto you, young men, because
INT: I have written to you young men because strong

Strong's Greek 3495
11 Occurrences


Νεανίσκε — 1 Occ.
νεανίσκοι — 4 Occ.
νεανίσκον — 3 Occ.
νεανίσκος — 3 Occ.

3494
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