Lexical Summary Krés: Cretan Original Word: Κρής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Crete, Cretian. From Krete; a Cretan, i.e. Inhabitant of Crete -- Crete, Cretian. see GREEK Krete NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Krété Definition a Cretan NASB Translation Cretans (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2912: ΚρήςΚρής, ὁ, plural Κρῆτες, a Cretan, an inhabitant of the island of Crete: Acts 2:11; Titus 1:12 (cf. Farrar, St. Paul, 2:534). Topical Lexicon Historical Background of the Cretans Crete, the largest island of the Aegean, lay on the maritime highway between Asia Minor, Greece, and Egypt. Its storied past reached back to the Minoan civilization, yet by New Testament times it was counted among the Hellenistic Greek territories, governed by Rome since 67 BC. A sizable Jewish population lived there (Josephus, Antiquities 17.12.1), explaining why Cretans were present in Jerusalem at the feast of Pentecost. Native literature boasted noted poets and philosophers such as Epimenides, whose terse epigram Paul cites in Titus 1:12. Cretans at Pentecost (Acts 2:11) “Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”. The inclusion of Cretans in the Pentecost crowd highlights both the world-embracing scope of the Spirit’s outpouring and Crete’s early exposure to the gospel. The proclamation in recognizable Cretan speech implied that some soon returned home armed with the message of salvation, seeding the island for later organized ministry. Characteristics Addressed in Titus (Titus 1:12) “One of Crete’s own prophets has said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ ”. Paul draws on a familiar local maxim—not to dismiss all islanders indiscriminately, but to underscore the cultural challenges confronting church order. The citation of a pagan authority shows apostolic readiness to employ common cultural knowledge while calling believers to a higher standard in Christ (Titus 1:13-14). The island’s reputation for deceit and indolence made the establishment of qualified elders (Titus 1:5-9) an urgent priority. Gospel Penetration and Ministry on Crete • Paul’s voyage to Rome touched Crete (Acts 27:7-12), revealing established harbors and implying pre-existing communities that would later require oversight. Prophetic and Theological Significance The two occurrences of Κρῆτες reveal complementary truths: 1. Acts 2:11—God’s redemptive plan embraces every nation. Together they illustrate divine impartiality: the Spirit welcomes Cretans, yet the Word reforms them. This pattern affirms the consistency of Scripture’s message of grace and holiness (compare Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Old Testament and Intertestamental Echoes Many scholars identify Crete with Caphtor (Genesis 10:14; Jeremiah 47:4; Amos 9:7), the ancestral homeland of the Philistines. If correct, the appearance of Cretans at Pentecost provides a striking reversal: descendants of an ancient foe hear the “mighty deeds of God” and enter the covenant community (see Ephesians 2:12-13). Patristic Notices and Later History Early Church Fathers such as Clement of Alexandria (Stromata 1.14) and Jerome (Commentary on Titus 1) appealed to Titus 1:12 when discussing cultural reform. By the second century, Bishop Philip of Gortyna corresponded with Dionysius of Corinth, evidencing organized Cretan churches that endured persecution and doctrinal controversy yet remained influential. Practical Lessons for the Contemporary Church • Cultural stereotypes, however widespread, must yield to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Key References Acts 2:11; Titus 1:5-14; Acts 27:7-12; Genesis 10:14; Jeremiah 47:4; Amos 9:7. Forms and Transliterations Κρητες Κρῆτες Kretes Krêtes Krētes Krē̂tesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 2:11 N-NMPGRK: καὶ προσήλυτοι Κρῆτες καὶ Ἄραβες NAS: Cretans and Arabs-- we hear KJV: Cretes and Arabians, INT: and converts Cretans and Arabians Titus 1:12 N-NMP |