Reference: Crete, Cretians
Morish
Large island about midway between Syria and Malta. It was the inhabitants of this island who had the evil report of being alway liars and lazy gluttons, according to one of their own poets (Epimenides). Some from Crete were present on the day of Pentecost. Ac 2:11. The ship in which Paul started for Rome visited the island. Ac 27:7-21. Paul left Titus at Crete to set things in order and ordain elders. Tit 1:5,12.
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Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our own several tongues the marvellous things of God.
Then for many days making very slow way, and scarce reaching over against Knidos, the wind not favouring us, we coasted Crete, opposite Cape Salmone: and weathering it with difficulty, we came to a certain place called, The fair havens; near to which is the city Lasea. read more. And much time being consumed, and sailing now becoming dangerous, because the fast was already past, Paul admonished them, saying unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be attended with much damage and loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but [danger] of our lives also. But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the pilot than to the things which were spoken by Paul. And the harbour not being well situated for a winter station, the greater part advised to sail from thence, if they possibly could reach as far as Phenice to pass the winter, a harbour open to the south-west and north-west. So when the south wind blew softly, supposing they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor, and kept near the coast of Crete. But not long after a hurricane wind, called Euroclydon, drove us towards the island, and the ship becoming ungovernable, and unable to bear up in the eye of the wind, we gave up the attempt, and let her drive. And running under a little island called Clauda, it was with difficulty we were able to come at the boat: which when they had hoisted out, they used all helps, carrying ropes round the ship's bottom; and fearing lest they should run on the quick-sands, they lowered the mast, and so were driven. And being exceedingly tossed with the storm, we the next day threw out the cargo. And the third day with our own hands we threw overboard the tackling of the vessel. So when neither sun nor stars had appeared for many days, and no small tempest beating on us, all hope of our being preserved was entirely taken from us. Now after being a long while without food, then stood up Paul in the midst of them, and said, Ye ought, my friends, to have been persuaded by me, and not have sailed from Crete, and got this loss and damage.
For this purpose I left thee behind me at Crete, that thou mightest direct the regulations which remained to be executed, and that thou shouldest appoint presbyters in every city, as I charged thee to do:
One of them, a poet of their own nation, hath said, The Cretans are always liars, wicked beasts, slothful gluttons.