3105. mainomai

Lexical Summary

mainomai: to be mad, to rave, to be insane

Original Word: μαίνομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: mainomai
Pronunciation: MAH-ee-noh-my
Phonetic Spelling: (mah'-ee-nom-ahee)
KJV: be beside self (mad)
NASB: insane, mad
Word Origin: [middle voice from a primary mao "to long for" through the idea of irrational, insensate craving]

1. to rave as a "maniac"

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be beside oneself, rage

Middle voice from a primary mao (to long for; through the idea of insensate craving); to rave as a "maniac" -- be beside self (mad).

HELPS Word-studies

3105 maínomai (the root of the English terms, "maniac" and "mania") – to rave, full of inner rage (fury); to act as though out of one's senses – getting so mad (angry) it amounts to acting "mad" (temporarily deranged).

Example: Jn 10:19,20: "¹⁹A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. ²⁰Many of them were saying, 'He has a demon and is insane (3105 /maínomai). Why do you listen to Him?' " (NASU).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the root man-
Definition
to rage, be mad
NASB Translation
am (1), insane (1), mad (1), mind (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3105: μαίνομαι

μαίνομαι; (from Homer down); to be mad, to rave: said of one who so speaks that he seems not to be in his right mind, Acts 12:15; Acts 26:24; 1 Corinthians 14:23; opposed to σωφροσύνης ῤήματα ἀποφθέγγεσθαι, Acts 26:25; joined with δαιμόνιον ἔχειν, John 10:20. (Compare: ἐμμαίνομαι.)

Topical Lexicon

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Acts 12:15 – Spoken by the believers in Mary’s house to Rhoda when she insists Peter is at the door.
2. Acts 26:24 – Governor Festus interrupts Paul’s defense before Agrippa: “You are out of your mind, Paul!”
3. Acts 26:25 – Paul’s calm rebuttal: “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and sobriety.”
4. John 10:20 – Some in Jerusalem dismiss Jesus: “He is demon-possessed and out of His mind; why listen to Him?”
5. 1 Corinthians 14:23 – Paul warns that disorderly tongues in assembly will make outsiders say, “You are out of your minds.”

Contextual Nuances

The verb consistently appears on the lips of skeptics, unbelievers, or confused disciples who cannot reconcile extraordinary spiritual realities with ordinary experience. It labels Spirit-empowered testimony as irrational even when accompanied by clear evidence (Acts 12) or cogent argument (Acts 26).

Accusations of Madness Against God’s Servants

• Jesus Christ – The charge of insanity provides yet another attempt to discredit His Messianic claims without refuting His works (John 10:19-21).
• The Apostles – Both Peter and Paul meet the same taunt. Luke records Peter’s miraculous deliverance being doubted (Acts 12), while Paul’s reasoned defense of resurrection hope is dismissed as mental imbalance (Acts 26).
• The Church – In Corinth the possibility of the entire congregation being so labeled leads Paul to regulate public worship for intelligibility (1 Corinthians 14:23).

Contrast Between Worldly Opinion and Divine Truth

Scripture sets the accusation alongside a clear demonstration of sanity and sober truth. Peter stands unharmed at the gate, Jesus teaches with authority, and Paul reasons “with truth and sound judgment” (Acts 26:25). The misuse of the term therefore exposes the spiritual blindness of the accusers rather than any deficiency in the servants of God.

Old Testament Background

Prophets were likewise branded as mad: “Why did this madman come to you?” (2 Kings 9:11). David simulated madness to escape danger (1 Samuel 21:13). Such passages create a biblical backdrop in which apparent irrationality may mask divine purpose, foreshadowing the New Testament pattern.

Connection with Spiritual Gifts

Paul’s caution in 1 Corinthians 14 shows pastoral sensitivity. The presence of authentic gifts does not exempt believers from communicating in a manner comprehensible to outsiders. Prudence protects the fellowship from unnecessary reproach and displays the orderly character of God (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Theological Implications

1. Revelation surpasses natural reasoning yet remains coherent.
2. Rejection of the gospel often manifests in ad hominem dismissal rather than engagement with evidence.
3. Genuine spiritual experience is compatible with mental soundness; the Spirit produces self-control (Galatians 5:23).

Historical Reception in the Early Church

Early apologists (e.g., Justin Martyr, Athenagoras) embraced Paul’s model, answering charges of madness with measured argument and evidence of virtuous lives. The repeated calumny became a badge of fidelity: those who follow Christ may be deemed irrational by a culture that cannot comprehend supernatural truth.

Practical and Pastoral Applications

• Expect misunderstanding. Faithful proclamation may invite the label of insanity, yet believers are called to respond with clarity and calm.
• Maintain order in worship. Transparent communication aids evangelism and guards against confusion.
• Exhibit the fruit of sound mind. Consistent, reasonable conduct validates the gospel before a skeptical world.

Summary

The New Testament uses the verb translated “to be out of one’s mind” to record the world’s verdict on Jesus, His apostles, and Spirit-empowered gatherings. Each context reveals the charge as unfounded and highlights the rational integrity of God’s revelation. The term therefore functions as a literary and theological foil, underscoring the contrast between human unbelief and divine truth.

Forms and Transliterations

μαινεσθε μαίνεσθε μαινεται μαίνεται Μαινη μαίνη Μαίνῃ μαινομαι μαίνομαι μαινομένω μαιούσθε μαιωθήσονται Maine Mainē Maínei Maínēi mainesthe maínesthe mainetai maínetai mainomai maínomai

Englishman's Concordance

John 10:20 V-PIM/P-3S
GRK: ἔχει καὶ μαίνεται τί αὐτοῦ
NAS: a demon and is insane. Why
KJV: a devil, and is mad; why hear ye
INT: he has and is mad why him

Acts 12:15 V-PIM/P-2S
GRK: αὐτὴν εἶπαν Μαίνῃ ἡ δὲ
NAS: They said to her, You are out of your mind! But she kept insisting
KJV: her, Thou art mad. But
INT: her they said You are mad but

Acts 26:24 V-PIM/P-2S
GRK: φωνῇ φησίν Μαίνῃ Παῦλε τὰ
NAS: Paul, you are out of your mind! [Your] great
KJV: Paul, thou art beside thyself; much
INT: voice said You are insane Paul the

Acts 26:25 V-PIM/P-1S
GRK: Παῦλος Οὐ μαίνομαι φησίν κράτιστε
NAS: said, I am not out of my mind, most excellent
KJV: I am not mad, most noble Festus;
INT: Paul not I am insane says most noble

1 Corinthians 14:23 V-PIM/P-2P
GRK: ἐροῦσιν ὅτι μαίνεσθε
NAS: will they not say that you are mad?
KJV: say that ye are mad?
INT: will they say that you are mad

Strong's Greek 3105
5 Occurrences

Μαίνῃ — 2 Occ.
μαίνεσθε — 1 Occ.
μαίνεται — 1 Occ.
μαίνομαι — 1 Occ.