Lexical Summary Krété: Crete Original Word: Κρήτη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Crete. Of uncertain derivation; Crete, an island in the Mediterranean -- Crete. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Crete, an island in the Mediterranean NASB Translation Crete (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2914: ΚρήτηΚρήτη, Κρήτης, ἡ, Crete, the largest and most fertile island of the Mediterranean archipelago or Aegean Sea, now called Candia: Acts 27:7, 12f, 21; Titus 1:5. (Dict. of Geog. or McClintock and Strong's Cyclopaedia, Topical Lexicon CreteGeographical Setting Crete is the large, mountainous island lying in the Mediterranean Sea roughly ninety miles south of the Aegean. Its elongated east-west axis made its ports natural stepping-stones between Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. Because prevailing north-westerly winds dominate the region, navigation around Crete was always subject to seasonal hazards, a circumstance that shapes Luke’s account in Acts 27. Historical Context Known in antiquity for the advanced Minoan civilization, Crete later passed under successive Greek, Roman, and Byzantine influences. By the first century it was a Roman senatorial province. Its inhabitants, “Cretans,” carried a mixed reputation for seamanship and moral laxity; the poet Epimenides, whom Paul cites (Titus 1:12), summarized their character with the famous line, “Cretans are always liars.” Against this background the arrival of the gospel created a striking contrast between entrenched pagan culture and the call to holy living. Crete in Luke’s Voyage Narrative Acts 27 records five explicit references to the island as Paul is escorted to Rome: • “We sailed slowly for many days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to proceed, we sailed to the lee of Crete, off Salmone” (Acts 27:7). These details anchor the historicity of Acts: the topography, prevailing winds, and harbors match known maritime conditions, lending credibility to Luke’s eyewitness style and demonstrating the Spirit’s care for preserving accurate testimony. Paul’s Mission and the Letter to Titus “Crete” appears again when Paul writes, “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you” (Titus 1:5). From this single verse the following ministry themes emerge: 1. Church planting strategy: Paul evangelized multiple towns across the island but moved on, entrusting ongoing organization to Titus. Doctrinal and Pastoral Insights • Sovereign guidance in adversity: Paul’s ordeal around Crete declares that God’s purposes stand even when human plans falter (cf. Acts 27:23-26). Lessons for the Church Today Crete reminds believers that the gospel penetrates the hardest soils, that local churches need orderly shepherding to flourish, and that God’s providence guides His servants through literal and figurative storms. The island that once symbolized piracy and falsehood became a theater for the triumph of truth, illustrating the enduring promise: “The word of the Lord stands forever” (1 Peter 1:25). Forms and Transliterations Κρητη Κρήτῃ Κρητην Κρήτην Κρητης Κρήτης Krete Krētē Krḗtei Krḗtēi Kreten Krētēn Krḗten Krḗtēn Kretes Krētēs Krḗtes KrḗtēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 27:7 N-AFSGRK: ὑπεπλεύσαμεν τὴν Κρήτην κατὰ Σαλμώνην NAS: we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off KJV: we sailed under Crete, over against INT: we sailed under Crete over against Salmone Acts 27:12 N-GFS Acts 27:13 N-AFS Acts 27:21 N-GFS Titus 1:5 N-DFS Strong's Greek 2914 |
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