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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Cretes and Arabians, we did hear them speaking in our tongues the great things of God.'
and having sailed slowly many days, and with difficulty coming over-against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over-against Salmone, and hardly passing it, we came to a certain place called 'Fair Havens,' nigh to which was the city of Lasaea. read more. And much time being spent, and the sailing being now dangerous -- because of the fast also being already past -- Paul was admonishing, saying to them, 'Men, I perceive that with hurt, and much damage, not only of the lading and of the ship, but also of our lives -- the voyage is about to be;' but the centurion to the pilot and to the shipowner gave credence more than to the things spoken by Paul; and the haven being incommodious to winter in, the more part gave counsel to sail thence also, if by any means they might be able, having attained to Phenice, there to winter, which is a haven of Crete, looking to the south-west and north-west, and a south wind blowing softly, having thought they had obtained their purpose, having lifted anchor, they sailed close by Crete, and not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, that is called Euroclydon, and the ship being caught, and not being able to bear up against the wind, having given her up, we were borne on, and having run under a certain little isle, called Clauda, we were hardly able to become masters of the boat, which having taken up, they were using helps, undergirding the ship, and fearing lest they may fall on the quicksand, having let down the mast -- so were borne on. And we, being exceedingly tempest-tossed, the succeeding day they were making a clearing, and on the third day with our own hands the tackling of the ship we cast out, and neither sun nor stars appearing for more days, and not a little tempest lying upon us, thenceforth all hope was taken away of our being saved. And there having been long fasting, then Paul having stood in the midst of them, said, 'It behoved you, indeed, O men -- having hearkened to me -- not to set sail from Crete, and to save this hurt and damage;
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that the things lacking thou mayest arrange, and mayest set down in every city elders, as I did appoint to thee;
A certain one of them, a prophet of their own, said -- 'Cretans! always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies!'