Where is the biblical city of Phoenix located?

Phoenix was an ancient harbor city in Crete, Greece, mentioned in the New Testament. It is located on the southern coast of Crete, near the modern town of Finikas (Acts 27:12).

What happened at Phoenix in the Bible?

Phoenix is mentioned as a harbor where Paul's ship considered wintering during his perilous voyage to Rome. The ship's crew debated sailing there but was ultimately driven off course by a storm (Acts 27:12-13).

Why is Phoenix significant in the Bible?

Phoenix is significant as a key location in the dramatic account of Paul's shipwreck, illustrating God's sovereign plan over human decisions. Its mention provides historical and geographical context for this pivotal journey in Acts 27.

Phoenix

cityNew TestamentGreece

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Modern Name

Finikas

Country

Greece

Region

Greece

Coordinates

35.2000, 24.0722

Phoenix is an ancient city mentioned in the New Testament, located in the region of Greece in modern-day Greece. Known today as Finikas. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.

Biblical History

Phoenix appears in the New Testament in connection with Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome. As recounted in Acts 27:12, the ship carrying Paul as a prisoner was harbored at Fair Havens on the southern coast of Crete. Since that harbor was unsuitable for wintering, the majority aboard decided to try reaching Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing both southwest and northwest, where they hoped to spend the winter. Paul had warned against continuing the voyage, prophesying that the journey would result in disaster and great loss (Acts 27:10). Despite Paul's warning, the centurion was persuaded by the ship's pilot and owner to press on. When a gentle south wind arose, they set sail, believing they had achieved their purpose. However, a violent northeaster, called the Euraquilo, soon struck, driving the ship far off course toward the island of Malta. The failure to reach Phoenix thus set in motion one of the most dramatic shipwreck narratives in ancient literature, demonstrating God's sovereign protection over Paul even through catastrophe.

Archaeological & Historical Notes

Phoenix is identified with the harbor near modern Loutro (or alternatively Finikas) on the southwestern coast of Crete, Greece. The identification has been debated, as Acts describes the harbor as facing southwest and northwest, and scholars have proposed different candidates along the coast. Loutro possesses a sheltered natural harbor matching the description of a suitable wintering place. Finikas (Phineka), another candidate, lies slightly to the east. Limited archaeological work has been conducted at either location specifically targeting the ancient harbor. The coastline of southwestern Crete has undergone some geological changes since antiquity, including tectonic uplift that has altered harbor configurations, complicating definitive identification of the biblical Phoenix.

Verse Appearances (1)

Acts

Acts 27:12

Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →

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