Lasea

At a Glance

Lasea was a city on Crete named in Acts 27:8 as Paul’s ship passed near Fair Havens on the way to Rome.

Key Points

• A real geographical location, not a doctrine or theological concept. • Mentioned in Acts 27:8 in the account of Paul’s journey to Rome. • Its role is narrative and historical, helping locate the voyage on the Cretan coast.

Description

Lasea was a city on the island of Crete, mentioned in Acts 27:8 in connection with Paul’s journey as a prisoner to Rome. Luke places it near Fair Havens as part of the travel narrative that leads into the shipwreck account. Because Lasea is a geographical location rather than a theological category, it belongs in a biblical place-name entry. Its significance is chiefly historical and narrative, helping situate the events of Acts in a real Mediterranean setting.

Biblical Context

In Acts 27, Luke describes the ship carrying Paul toward Italy. Lasea is mentioned as the ship came near the Cretan harbor of Fair Havens, showing the difficulty and danger of the voyage before the later storm and shipwreck.

Historical Context

Lasea belongs to the Greco-Roman world of the eastern Mediterranean. The reference reflects Luke’s careful attention to geography and travel detail in Acts, especially in the account of Paul’s final journey to Rome.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Lasea itself is not a Jewish term, but it appears in a narrative about Paul, a Jewish apostle, traveling under Roman custody. The setting highlights the wider ancient Mediterranean world in which the early church moved.

Primary Key Texts

• Acts 27:8

Secondary Key Texts

• Acts 27:7-13

Original Language Note

The name is transliterated from Greek as a place-name in Acts 27:8.

Theological Significance

Lasea has no direct doctrinal meaning, but it serves the theological purpose of grounding Luke’s account in real history and geography. It helps confirm that Acts presents itself as a concrete historical narrative.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper place-name, Lasea is significant not by abstract concept but by referential function: it identifies a real location in space and time within the biblical story.

Interpretive Cautions

The exact archaeological identification of Lasea is not the main issue of the text. The biblical point is the narrative setting, not a theological argument about the city itself.

Major Views

Most readers and commentators treat Lasea simply as a geographical reference in Acts 27:8. The main question is location, not meaning.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Do not read Lasea as a symbolic doctrine or as a basis for speculative allegory. It is a place-name that supports the historical setting of Acts.

Practical Significance

Lasea reminds readers that the New Testament accounts are set in real places and ordinary travel conditions. It also highlights Luke’s detailed historical style.

Related Entries

• Acts
• Crete
• Fair Havens
• Paul
• Paul’s voyage to Rome

See Also

• Acts 27
• shipwreck of Paul
• Mediterranean Sea