Crete #89

Crete is the largest island in the Greek archipelago, lying in the Mediterranean south of the Aegean Sea. It is mentioned in the New Testament in connection with Paul’s letter to Titus and in Luke’s account of the voyage to Rome in Acts 27. Some scholars also identify it with “Caphtor” in the Old Testament.

Biblical Significance

Cretan Jews were among the pilgrims in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:8-11), so a Jewish presence on the island existed early, and it is possible that some of these heard the gospel first at that festival. Paul’s own connection with the island is recorded in the letter to Titus. Paul writes that he left Titus in Crete to put in order what remained unfinished and to appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5). The letter lists the character required of such elders and warns against rebellious teachers, especially those pressing Jewish myths and commands (Titus 1:6-16). To describe the challenge, Paul cites a saying of “one of themselves, even a prophet of their own,” that Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons (Titus 1:12). Ancient writers attribute the line to the poet Epimenides. Paul says the testimony is true, but the aim of his instruction is that they be sound in the faith, and that believers devote themselves to good works (Titus 1:13-14; 3:8).

Crete also appears in Acts 27. On the way to Rome as a prisoner, Paul sailed along the southern coast of the island, past Salmone, and came with difficulty to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea (Acts 27:7-8). Because the season for safe sailing was over, Paul advised staying there, but the centurion trusted the ship’s pilot and owner, and most people wanted to reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, to spend the winter (Acts 27:9-12). A violent northeaster struck as they sailed, driving the ship away from the island (Acts 27:13-15). This began the fourteen-day storm that ended in shipwreck on Malta (Acts 27:27; 28:1).

The Old Testament refers to Caphtor as the origin of the Philistines (Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 47:4). Many scholars identify Caphtor with Crete, though the identification is a matter of scholarly judgment rather than a statement of the text.

Today

Crete is now part of Greece. It was the home of the Minoan civilization, whose palace at Knossos flourished centuries before the biblical period. Fair Havens is still a small harbor called Kaloi Limenes on the southern coast, and the ruins of Lasea lie nearby. Visitors to the island can explore Byzantine churches, and Crete remains one of the most visited regions of the Mediterranean.