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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Jews and converts, Greeks and Arabians: We have heard them speak with our own tongues the great works of God."
and when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, because the wind withstood us, we sailed hard by the coast of Crete, over against Salmone, and with much work sailed beyond it, and came unto a place called Good Port, nigh whereunto was a city called Lasea. read more. When much time was spent and sailing was now jeopardous, because also that we had overlong fasted, Paul put them in remembrance, and said unto them, "Sirs I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not of the lading and ship only: but also of our lives." Neverthelater, the under-captain believed the governor, and the master, better than those things which were spoken of Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, many took counsel to depart thence, if by any means they might attain to Phoenix and there to winter, which is a haven of Crete, and serveth to the southwest, and northwest wind. When the south wind blew, they supposing to obtain their purpose loosed unto Assos, and sailed past all Crete. But anon after there arose, against their purpose, a flaw of wind out of the northeast. And when the ship was caught, and could not resist the wind, we let her go and drave with the weather. And we came unto an isle named Cauda; And had much work to come by a boat, which they took up, and used help undergirding the ship, fearing lest we should have fallen into Syrtis, and we let down a vessel and so were carried. The next day when we were tossed with an exceeding tempest, they lightened the ship, and the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. When at the last neither sun nor star in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay upon us, all hope that we should be saved, was then taken away. Then after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them and said, "Sirs, ye should have hearkened to me, and not have loosed from Crete, neither to have brought unto us this harm and loss.
For this cause left I thee in Crete: that thou shouldest perform that which was lacking and shouldest ordain elders in every city as I appointed thee.
One being of themselves, which was a poet of their own said, "The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and slow bellies."