Genesis 3:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And she also offered the fruit to her husband, and he consumed it. Their eyes were both opened, and they recognized their nakedness. This raises an essential question that we resolved to address previously. It is reasonable to inquire about the power of this tree, which, upon eating from it, opened their eyes, and to understand why it is referred to as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Please bear with me as I elucidate this matter, and help you comprehend that if we accept with discernment what is proclaimed in the sacred Scriptures, we will find nothing too difficult to grasp. It was not the act of tasting the tree that opened their eyes; they had already seen before tasting it. However, eating from the tree symbolized disobedience and a transgression of God's commandment, resulting in their loss of the glory that once enveloped them and rendering them unworthy of such honor. Thus, Scripture expresses, “She ate ... and he ate. And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked.” Having forfeited the supreme grace due to their transgression, they became acutely aware of their physical nakedness, experiencing such shame that they would fully understand the depths to which their disobedience had led them. Initially, they had enjoyed perfect freedom, unaware of their nakedness (they were not truly naked, as the glory above them provided greater covering than any garment). Yet, after consuming it—following the transgression of the command—they became so humbled that they sought a means to cover themselves. The violation of the command had stripped them of that wondrous and extraordinary garment of glory and divine favor with which they were clothed, simultaneously awakening in them an awareness of their nakedness and shrouding them in unutterable shame. “And they sewed together fig leaves and made themselves loincloths.” Reflect, Beloved, on the heights from which the devil’s deception had cast them. Once enveloped in such glory, they now stitch together fig leaves to conceal themselves. Such is the outcome of the devil’s seduction; it does not bestow greater benefit but rather deprives individuals of what they once possessed. Since the act of eating resulted in disobedience, Scripture iterates, “I ate ... and he ate. And their eyes were opened,” referring not to physical sight but to spiritual discernment. By transgressing the commandment, they were made aware of what they previously did not feel due to the grace afforded to them. Therefore, when it states that “their eyes were opened,” understand it to mean that God allowed them to perceive their nakedness and the loss of glory they had previously enjoyed. To further illustrate this Scriptural custom, recall how it describes another instance: when Hagar, fleeing from her mistress, found a young boy under a bush, having set herself away to await his death, Scripture declares, “And God opened her eyes” (Gen. 21:15, 16, 19)—not because her sight was lacking, but because God, at that moment, enlightened her understanding. Do you see that the term “opened” refers not to physical sight but to spiritual awareness?

Now regarding the other inquiry: why is this tree named the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Many engage in debate, insisting that Adam, after consuming the fruit, gained the ability to discern good from evil. Such thinking is utterly foolish. To preclude this misconception, we have recently discussed the wisdom bestowed by God upon humanity, illustrated by Adam’s naming of all creatures—beasts, birds, and unspoken animals—and the added gift of prophecy. How could one who named and spoke marvelously about his wife be ignorant of good and evil? If such ignorance were plausible, we would again be slandering the Creator. How could God give a command to one unversed in what evil is? It is not so; rather, Adam clearly understood. Consequently, from the beginning, God fashioned humanity with self-control; otherwise, he could not rightly be both punished for his transgressions and rewarded for obedience. The mortality imposed upon him due to his disobedience is evident from the command and subsequent events. Recall what the woman said to the serpent: “The fruit of the trees we may eat; but of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, God said, 'Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.’” Thus, prior to tasting, they were immortal; if not, God would not have inflicted death as punishment even after their transgression. Who would argue that humanity received the knowledge of good and evil only after eating the fruit, when he was already endowed with wisdom prior to that act, not to mention the gift of prophecy? How rational is it to conclude that various animals possess the instinct to discriminate between beneficial and harmful plants, while humankind—being a rational creature—remains oblivious to good and evil? However, some may argue that the Scriptures themselves designate this tree as the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Indeed, it is necessary to grasp the reasons behind the name given to this tree. It received such a title not because it imparted this knowledge, but because it was from this tree that the transgression of the commandment originated, resulting in the awakening of sin and shame. Thus, it is customary in the Holy Scriptures to name locations based on events that occurred there, which is why this tree is referred to as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, meant to signify the obedience or disobedience exercised therein. The compassionate Lord, from the beginning, aimed to teach humanity to recognize that they have a Creator and Maker who fashioned all visible things and created humankind. He sought to demonstrate His authority through this simple command. Just as a generous proprietor, having given someone a splendid home, does not claim absolute ownership but retains a small share to remind that person of their dependency, so our Lord entrusted humanity with all visible creation. He permitted them to dwell in Paradise and utilize its offerings, thereby preventing them from gradually forgetting their true origin and becoming overly proud of their dignity. He commanded them to refrain from one specific tree, imposing a grave consequence for its violation, to instill in them the awareness that they were under their Master and used all other things according to the grace of the Master. However, as Adam, through carelessness and with his wife, fell into misfortune by violating this command and eating from the tree, Scripture named it the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—not because before this he lacked awareness of good and evil, but to signify the experience of shame and loss that ensued after eating. For after consuming the fruit, they lost the highest glory and became acutely aware of their physical nakedness, hence the scripture describes it as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Do you understand why Scripture says, “The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked”? Have you grasped why this tree is called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Contemplate the shame that overtook them after they ate from the tree and transgressed the Lord's command, “And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” Reflect upon the glory they fell from into utter humiliation. Those who once lived as earthly angels were now fashioning garments from leaves. Such is the reality of sin—it not only strips us of the greatest joy but also plunges us into profound shame and degradation, robbing us of our blessings and our confidence. Yet, to prevent our consideration of humanity's sin in eating from the tree and disobedience from leading to despair, let us shift our focus to another tree—the tree of the cross—and examine the calamities this act caused and the benefits it brought. The misfortunes arose not from the tree itself but from the negligence and contempt for the commandment. The first tree introduced death, as death followed disobedience, while the latter granted immortality. The first expelled us from paradise; the latter elevated us to heaven. For one transgression, Adam suffered severe consequences; the latter liberated us from countless burdens of sin and restored our confidence before God. Do you see the distinction between these two trees? Do you perceive the wickedness of the devil, the negligence of humanity, and the compassion of the Lord? Therefore, I implore you to arm yourselves with this life-giving tree and, through its strength, put to death the passions that threaten your soul, just as the Apostle Paul states, “And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). This signifies that those who wholly surrender to Christ mortify every impure desire that arises within them, detrimental to the well-being of their soul. By emulating their example, we too shall render our faculties dormant to the dominion of the devil and, in this present life, navigate the tumultuous and perilous sea peacefully, and, having reached the serene haven of God’s grace, receive the promised blessings for those who love Him, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

I am aware that some criticize the Lawgiver, suggesting that the law is to blame for humanity's fall into sin. It is essential to address this matter and demonstrate through action that God established the law not out of animosity toward humanity or a desire to shame our nature, but from love and concern for us. To understand that the law was given as a sign of unity, heed what Isaiah states: For He has given us the law as a help. The one who harbors hatred offers no assistance. The prophet proclaims: Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 118:105). One who hates does not illuminate the darkness with a lamp, nor does one who misleads guide anyone toward the light. Solomon further remarks: For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life (Proverbs 6:23). Notice, it’s not only help, nor merely a lamp, but light and life—these qualities are characteristic not of one who seeks to destroy, but of one who extends a hand to uplift.

Their eyes were opened, not for the purpose of becoming divine as the serpent had claimed, but rather to perceive their own vulnerability, which the adversary desired. This is the reason why the eyes of the ancestors were initially enlightened to behold all things; they were confined in such a way that they could not see the tree of life or their own state of nakedness. The adversary was filled with envy towards the ancestors because they, adorned with glory and empowered by the divine word, stood above all of creation; to them alone was the promise of eternal life associated with the tree of life.

It is clear to those who pay careful attention that Adam and Eve had their eyes opened even before they partook of the forbidden fruit. How could "the woman see that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise" (Genesis 3:6) if her eyes had not yet been opened? This illustrates why Sacred Scripture refers to the awareness that came after sin, as immediately following that act, the conscience was struck with pain.

Through the temptation by the demon, the embodiment of wickedness, humanity was led astray, failed to adhere to the commandments of the Creator, lost divine grace, forfeited confidence before God, and became vulnerable to the hardships of a life filled with suffering—this is symbolized by the fig tree's leaves (Genesis 3:7).

Their eyes were opened, and they realized their nakedness, prompting them to sew fig leaves together to cover themselves. Adam, tempted by another under the guise of eternal life, was immediately filled with dread and attempted to conceal himself, not believing he could escape God's presence, but feeling ashamed and unworthy to stand before God after violating His command. The beginning of wisdom stems from reverent fear of the Lord (Psalm 110:10). Awareness of his wrongdoing led to repentance, and God bestows His mercy upon those who turn back to Him. Adam demonstrated his remorse by donning fig leaves, despite the availability of other, less uncomfortable foliage. Instead, he chose a covering befitting his disobedience, gripped by the fear of God.

As previously mentioned, we grapple with the urges for indulgence that our physical being harbors and the pridefulness that influences both you and me. These two desires led Eve into temptation and misled Adam: through lust, the fruit was portrayed as desirable for sustenance and pleasing to the senses; through pride, the enticement was made, “You will be like gods, knowing good and evil.” The first humans, Adam and Eve, felt shame in their nakedness; similarly, we, having lost the innocence of our souls, experience shame in our conscience. Hence, we attempt to cover ourselves with garments of fig leaves, enveloped in hollow rhetoric and deceptive images.

Following the transgression of our ancestors, who felt shame and fashioned coverings from fig leaves, the fig tree can rightly symbolize mankind's inclination towards sin, which possesses a deceptive allure. Beneath its branches, the Lord's elect sat, unaware of their divine selection; it was there that the Lord observed Nathanael reclining without recognizing Him (John 1:48).

What does it signify that their eyes were opened (Gen. 3:7), and how did the fall into sin lead to the opening of their eyes? The opening of their eyes was not a direct result of their sin, as it is not recorded that this occurred at the moment of their transgression, but rather afterward. It is written, "And the woman took of the fruit and ate, and gave also to her husband, and they ate. And the eyes of both of them were opened" (Gen. 3:6-7). This indicates that following sin, there is often an awakening to the reality of wrongdoing, where the depth of one’s boldness becomes apparent.

However, since the Lord commanded the firstborn not to partake of the tree of knowledge, and Adam disregarded this divine command, failing to trust the words of the Creator and Sovereign who stated, “In this day if you eat of it, you shall die by death,” instead listening to the deceitful words of the wicked adversary, who proclaimed, “You shall not die by death, but in this day if you eat of it... you shall be like a god. You shall be like the gods, knowing good and evil,” Adam, having eaten from that tree, instantly shed his incorruptible glory and dignity, and clothed himself in the shameful nakedness of corruption. Upon realizing his nakedness, he hid himself and fashioned garments from fig leaves to cover his shame.

When their understanding was enlightened to recognize their state of nakedness, they immediately became aware of their shame towards one another. At that very moment they consumed the forbidden fruit, the desire of the flesh surged within them; they were both overtaken by intense longing, and guilt and fear overwhelmed them, prompting them to cover their exposed bodies with fig leaves. However, upon hearing the Lord God walking in the Garden at midday, they concealed themselves beneath a tree, for they could no longer bear to face their Creator, whose commandments they had disobeyed, hiding in fear and great trepidation from His presence.

Opened eyes. This phrase, the opening of the eyes, does not imply the utmost level of understanding. In Hebrew culture, this expression conveys an inadvertent realization of something previously overlooked (Gen. 21:19). Such was the case with the forefathers' awareness of their nakedness. Nakedness, as interpreted through the modesty of sacred language, signifies both internal and external disgrace (Ex. 32:25, Abb. 2:15). The shame experienced by the sinning forefathers was internal, stemming from their fear and desire to conceal themselves from God, and external, as it necessitated covering. Inner nakedness represents the loss of original purity and grace, while outer nakedness indicates a perception of some flaw or impurity in the physical body.

The repercussions of our ancestors' transgression include the loss of purity, a distortion of the will, and a tendency toward evil over good. This is clearly illustrated by the immediate consequences of their sin: upon disobedience, both realized their nakedness, a condition they had previously been unaware of.

The harmful effects of disobeying God's command soon became evident. The serpent's words came to fruition: the eyes of the wrongdoers were indeed opened, but not to acquire a divine knowledge of good and evil without succumbing to sin; instead, they gained a painful awareness of their moral decay. ‘Know ye how nazi besha.’ Prior to the fall, their bodies served as pure vessels for their untainted souls. The intellect governed their desires, and there were no chaotic impulses within them, so their nakedness evoked no shame. However, the mind lost its authority over the flesh.