Lasea
Summary
A town on the southern coast of Crete, near Fair Havens, mentioned in the account of Paul's voyage to Rome.
☩Location and Reference
Lasea was a small city on the southern coast of Crete, about five miles east of Fair Havens (Acts 27:8). When Paul's ship, after leaving Myra, made slow progress against contrary winds, it arrived at Fair Havens near Lasea and remained there for 'much time.' The ruins of Lasea were discovered in 1856 by G. Brown, who found masses of masonry, marble pillars and capitals, and peasants who still knew the place by its ancient name 'Lasea.'
☩Significance for Paul's Voyage
The harbor at Fair Havens was inconvenient for wintering, and Lasea would have been where the ship could obtain supplies during the extended stay. Paul advised against continuing the voyage due to the dangerous season (after the Day of Atonement fast), but the centurion was persuaded by the ship's captain to attempt reaching Phoenix for the winter. This decision led to the shipwreck on Malta. It is possible that Paul evangelized in Crete during this extended stay, beginning the work that Titus later continued.
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Lasea," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Lasea," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).