Cnidus was an ancient city located in the region of Caria, in what is now southwestern Turkey. It was situated on a peninsula that juts into the Aegean Sea, forming a natural harbor. Cnidus was known for its strategic maritime position and its role as a center of trade and culture in the ancient world. The city was part of the Dorian Hexapolis, a confederation of six cities of Dorian Greek origin.

Biblical Reference

Cnidus is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome. In Acts 27:7, during Paul's voyage as a prisoner to Rome, the ship he was on encountered adverse winds, which forced it to sail under the lee of Crete, passing by Cnidus. The Berean Standard Bible records this event as follows: "After we had sailed slowly for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus, the wind did not allow us to go farther, so we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone."

Historical and Cultural Significance

Cnidus was renowned in antiquity for its advancements in art, science, and medicine. The city was home to a famous medical school and was associated with the physician Eudoxus, a student of Hippocrates. Additionally, Cnidus was celebrated for its impressive architecture and sculptures, including the renowned statue of Aphrodite by the sculptor Praxiteles, which was considered one of the masterpieces of classical Greek art.

The city's prosperity was largely due to its strategic location, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange between Greece, Asia Minor, and the broader Mediterranean region. Cnidus was also a center of worship for various deities, including Aphrodite and Apollo, reflecting the syncretic religious practices of the time.

Archaeological Discoveries

Excavations at Cnidus have revealed significant archaeological remains, including temples, theaters, and public buildings, which provide insight into the city's historical and cultural context. The ruins of Cnidus continue to be a site of interest for archaeologists and historians, offering a glimpse into the life and times of an influential ancient city.

Theological Reflection

From a theological perspective, the mention of Cnidus in the Book of Acts serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the early Christian missionaries in spreading the Gospel. The adverse winds that Paul encountered symbolize the obstacles and trials that believers may face in their spiritual journey. Yet, just as Paul persevered in his mission, Christians are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God's providence and guidance through life's difficulties.Cnidus

age

Cnidus

(nidus), a city of great consequence, situated at the extreme south west of the peninsula of Asia Minor, on a promontory now called Cape Crio , which projects between the islands of Cos and Rhodes. See (Acts 21:1) It is now in ruins.

Cnidus

A town and peninsula of Doris in Caria, jutting out from the southwest corner of Asia Minor, between the islands of Rhodes and Cos. It had a fine harbor, and was celebrated for the worship of Venus. Paul passed by it in his voyage to Rome, Acts 27:7.

A town and harbour on the extreme south-west of the peninsula of Doris in Asia Minor. Paul sailed past it on his voyage to Rome after leaving Myra (Acts 27:7). CNIDUS

ni'-dus, kni'-dus (Knidos, "age"): A city of Caria in the Roman province of Asia, past which, according to Acts 27:7, Paul sailed. At the Southwest corner of Asia Minor there projects for 90 miles into the sea a long, narrow peninsula, practically dividing the Aegean from the Mediterranean. It now bears the name of Cape Crio. Ships sailing along the southern coast of Asia Minor here turn northward as they round the point. Upon the very end of the peninsula, and also upon a small island off its point was the city of Cnidus. The island which in ancient times was connected with the mainland by a causeway is now joined to it by a sandy bar. Thus were formed two harbors, one of which could be closed by a chain. Though Cnidus was in Caria, it held the rank of a free city. There were Jews here as early as the 2nd century B.C.

The ruins of Cnidus are the only objects of interest on the long peninsula, and as they may be reached by land only with great difficulty, few travelers have visited them; they may, however, be reached more easily by boat. The nearest modern village is Yazi Keui, 6 miles away. The ruins of Cnidus are unusually interesting, for the entire plan of the city may easily be traced. The sea-walls and piers remain. The acropolis was upon the hill in the western portion of the town; upon the terraces below stood the public buildings, among which were two theaters and the odeum still well preserved. The city was especially noted for its shrine of Venus and for the statue of that goddess by Praxiteles. Here in 1875-78 Sir C. Newton discovered the statue of Demeter, now in the British Museum. See also the Aphrodite of Cnidus in the South Kensington Museum, one of the loveliest statues in the world. From here also came the huge Cnidian lion. The vast necropolis West of the ruins contains tombs of every size and shape, and from various ages.

E. J. Banks

2834. Knidos -- Cnidus, a city on the SW coast of Asia Minor
... Cnidus, a city on the SW coast of Asia Minor. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Knidos Phonetic Spelling: (knee'-dos) Short Definition: Cnidus ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2834.htm - 6k

Acts XXVII
... 7-8. The wind was still contrary when they left Myra. (7) "And having sailed slowly
many days, we reached Cnidus with difficulty, the wind not favoring us, and ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxvii.htm

The Absurdity and Shamefulness of the Images by which the Gods are ...
... And Praxiteles, as Posidippus relates in his book about Cnidus, when he fashioned
the statue of Aphrodite of Cnidus, made it like the form of Cratine, of whom ...
/.../exhortation to the heathen/chapter iv the absurdity and shamefulness.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... This was, as Pliny records, the opinion of Eudoxus; not Eudoxus of Cnidus, pupil
of Plato, as is usually stated, but a more obscure personage, Eudoxus of ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Names of the Gods and their Images are but of Recent Date.
... and Angelio; Hera in Samos and in Argos came from the hands of Smilis, and the other
statues [750] were by Phidias; Aphrodit?? the courtezan in Cnidus is the ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xvii the names of the.htm

The Voyage and Shipwreck
... Luke writes, "When we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against
Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 42 the voyage and.htm

Acts xxvi. 30-32
... "And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus,
the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily liii acts xxvi 30-32.htm

Paul's Shipwreck
... put us on board. For many days we made slow progress and it was only with
great difficulty that we arrived off Cnidus. Then as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls shipwreck.htm

How Ptolemy the Son of Lagus Took Jerusalem and Judea By
... Nay, Agatharchides of Cnidus, who wrote the acts of Alexander's successors, reproaches
us with superstition, as if we, by it, had lost our liberty; where he ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how ptolemy the.htm

How Alexander, Upon the League of Mutual Defense which Cleopatra ...
... on the diadem, and reigned over some part of Syria; but Ptolemy Lathyrus sent for
his fourth brother Demetrius, who was called Eucerus, from Cnidus, and made ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how alexander upon.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... in that city. ** This is the tradition derived from the court of Artaxerxes
by Ctesias of Cnidus. Volney discovered the principle ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Cnidus (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CNIDUS. ... Upon the very end of the peninsula, and
also upon a small island off its point was the city of Cnidus. ...
/c/cnidus.htm - 9k

Crete (7 Occurrences)
... Leaving Myra they came opposite Cnidus with difficulty, against a
head-wind. The ordinary course from Cnidus in good weather was ...
/c/crete.htm - 19k

Cni'dus (1 Occurrence)
Cni'dus. Cnidus, Cni'dus. Coal . Multi-Version Concordance Cni'dus (1 Occurrence).
Acts ... RSV). Cnidus, Cni'dus. Coal . Reference Bible.
/c/cni'dus.htm - 6k

Opposite (137 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite
Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete ...
/o/opposite.htm - 37k

Over-against (156 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:7 and having sailed slowly many days, and with difficulty coming over-against
Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over-against ...
/o/over-against.htm - 38k

Lee (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite
Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete ...
/l/lee.htm - 7k

Farther (33 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite
Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete ...
/f/farther.htm - 19k

Rhodes (2 Occurrences)
... Lindus, Ialysus and Camirus formed with Cos, Cnidus and Halicarnassus the so-called
Dorian Hexapolis (Six Cities), the center of which was the temple of the ...
/r/rhodes.htm - 13k

Direction (128 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:7 And when we had gone on slowly for a long time, and had had hard work
getting across to Cnidus, for the wind was against us, we went under cover of ...
/d/direction.htm - 38k

Difficulty (12 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite
Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete ...
/d/difficulty.htm - 10k

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