Leviticus 19:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

You may argue that the first man should have served as the firstfruits, since the initial growth is labeled as such. However, beloved, true beginnings are not marked by immature or underdeveloped firstfruits, but rather by the perfect and fully matured ones. Although the first human was indeed the initial creation, being subject to sin, he was not the offering made. In contrast, the fruit of Christ is free from sin and thus is presented even though it comes later; it constitutes the true beginning. To illustrate that the firstfruits must be perfect, beautiful, and fully ripened, let me reference Scripture where Moses instructs the people, stating that upon entering the land given by the Lord, any fruit from trees of nourishment must remain unconsumed for three years. In the fourth year, however, all fruit shall be holy to the Lord. Here, it is emphasized that the fruit during the first three years is unclean due to its immaturity and weakness, while the fruit of the fourth year is set apart as holy.

Consider the wisdom of the Lawgiver: He prohibited the consumption of this immature fruit, protecting it from being presented before God, as well as disallowing it from being offered, so that unripe offerings would not reach the Lord. The directive is clear: refrain from partaking, for it is merely the firstfruits, and do not present it, as it is unworthy of the honor due to the Receiver. Thus, it becomes clear that the beginning is not simply the initial growth, but rather the perfect offering.

This understanding applies to the humanity that Christ brought forth. He presented to the Father the firstfruits of our nature, and the Father, recognizing both the dignity of the Giver and the purity of the offering, accepted it with honor, placing it beside Himself, and declaring, "Sit thou at My right hand" (Psalms 109:1).

He states, “When you come into the land which the Lord God will give you, and plant a fruit tree, you shall regard its fruit as uncircumcised: for three years you shall regard it as uncircumcised; you shall not eat it; but in the fourth year all its fruit shall be devoted to the feasts of the Lord; but in the fifth year you may eat its fruit and gather for yourselves all its produce. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:23-25). The writings of Moses resemble fruitful gardens, rich with the diverse growth of commandments, adorned like trees, providing laws applicable in various situations. Yet, for every tree, it is instructed to “cleanse the uncleanness thereof,” meaning we must prune away the essence of the story and strip away the letter’s woodiness to reach the core of the plant, examining the inner truth of the commandment and consuming that. The text declares that “the fruit thereof for three years shall they be esteemed uncircumcised; they shall not be eaten.” Here, a year represents an extended timeframe, indicating that during the initial three eras, the law was still unclean, burdened with the weight of history and enshrined in shadow like a futile crown. I identify three specific times: the era of Moses, followed by Joshua, and then the Judges. After these, a fourth era emerged with the shining countenance of the holy prophets. In this time, the fruit of the law was deemed “holy and praiseworthy,” initiating the dissolution of what was encapsulated in the law and beginning the proclamation of truth and the celebration of the mystery of Christ’s arrival. Following the prophets, the Forerunner appeared, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Thus, in this fourth era, the cleansing of the law’s principles commenced, and while the fruit was regarded as holy, it wasn’t ready for consumption until the fifth era, the time of Christ's advent, as evidenced by the law and the prophets. Consequently, it is stated that its fruit will be beneficial for you; for the preaching of the gospel and the teachings derived from the law direct us toward spiritual contemplation, which greatly aids the inquisitive. Likewise, the Savior mentioned, “the scribe, instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like a master who brings out of his treasury new and old things” (Matt. 13:52), referring to the gospel as new and the laws as old. The knowledge offered in Christ is abundant and ever enlightening. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.