What does an ancient story about forbidden fruit and a talking snake have to do with our lives today? That’s what we’re here to find out.
The fall is one of those strange Old Testament stories that tends to trip people up. But don’t worry—we’ll unpack it and make it practical. Let’s dive in.
Where Is the Story of the Fall in the Bible?
The fall story takes place right near the beginning of everything, in Genesis 3.
It immediately follows the creation story, where we read about how God created everything and called it good. And the first time He called something very good was after He created the first people, Adam and Eve.
He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, a place where they were protected and provided for—they wanted for nothing. It was a place free from sin and its effects. In other words, free from needless pain, loss, fear, pride, and shame. The Garden of Eden was a paradise for Adam and Eve to enjoy.
So what happened? Why isn’t life a paradise today? Because of the fall.
A Summary of the Fall Bible Story
- God commanded Adam not to eat the fruit, and then created Eve.
- The serpent deceived Eve and convinced her to eat the fruit, while Adam watched.
- Both Adam and Eve experienced shame.
- God explained the consequences of their actions.
- God promised a future restoration.
- God sent them out of the Garden of Eden.
Key Bible Verse
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6 NIV
A Deeper Dive Into the Fall Bible Story
In Genesis 2, God gave these instructions to Adam:
And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17 NIV
God’s Invitation to Trust Him
God’s command to Adam and Eve was simple: Trust that I know what’s good for you, and follow my lead.
God’s command to Adam and Eve was simple: Trust that I know what’s good for you, and follow my lead.
But one of the creatures in the garden, a serpent, approached Eve and began asking her questions. The serpent deceived her by challenging the instructions God had given Adam, twisting the truth, and tempting Eve.
Ultimately, Eve chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and shared a bite of the fruit with Adam.
The Consequences of Sin
When Adam and Eve heard God walking in the garden, they were ashamed and hid from Him.
God sought them out and explained the consequences of their choice, but also promised to bring restoration.
Why Is the Fall in the Bible?
There’s so much to unpack in this story. Let me share a couple of reasons this story is in Scripture:
- Have you ever asked, “If God is good, why is the world He made so messed up?” God’s people have been asking that question for a long, long time, and this story offers us an answer. The fall shows us that we live in a world made by God for our good. It’s only when people ignore or mistrust God’s good design that suffering enters the world.
- This story helps us read the whole Bible. The fall is meant to stick in our minds as we read the whole story of the Bible. It invites us to notice a pattern of God’s good plan, people’s disobedience, and the consequences of their actions. It also primes us to feel inspired when people break the pattern and choose to resist temptation and trust God.
What Does the Fall Teach Us?
The fall shows us the dangers of listening to the wrong voices, the importance of trusting God, and the slippery slope that is sin. Here are three lessons the fall teaches us.
- Trusting God is a choice. In the garden, God gave Adam and Eve freedom, along with only one request: to trust Him for wisdom. But when the serpent approached Eve, he twisted God’s words and caused Eve to second-guess God’s character. As a result, Adam and Eve lost trust in God and assumed they knew the best way.
- We can sin through action or passivity. Eve sinned through acting on the serpent’s deception. But Adam sinned, too. He knew better, but stood by and watched as Eve sinned.
- God is ready to show grace. This is the first story in the Bible where God’s grace is on full display. God doesn’t destroy Adam and Eve for their disobedience, and He doesn’t send them away from His presence. Even though they leave the Garden of Eden, God goes with them.
Why Is the Fall Important Today?
The fall of man is an ancient story that sets the stage for the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
When Adam and Eve chose their own will over God’s, sin and spiritual death entered the world. But from the beginning, God promised restoration. He never gave up on His creation, and that promise was fulfilled through Jesus, the “second Adam,” who came to bring eternal life.
The Apostle Paul explained it this way in the New Testament:
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22 NIV
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are offered forgiveness, healing, and the opportunity to gain eternal life. Even now, we are invited to keep seeking God instead of falling into the same patterns of sin and deception.
The story that began in Eden continues today, and we are part of the restoration that God promised all along.
Common Questions About the Fall
What verse is the fall in the Bible?
We read about the fall in Genesis 3. The action of taking fruit from the forbidden tree is found in verse 6:
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6 NIV
Why is Genesis 3 known as the “fall”?
Many Bible translations will begin Genesis 3 with a header labeled “The Fall.” This header summarizes a section. This part of the biblical narrative is commonly called “the fall” or “the fall of man,” because it’s the moment God’s good creation was turned upside down by sin.
What does the story of the fall teach us?
This story helps us understand the dangers of sin and choosing our own will instead of God’s plan. It illustrates the importance of trusting God, even when we don’t understand. And it models how the enemy can often use deception to trick us into making choices that hurt us, the people around us, or the heart of God.
What is the serpent?
The serpent is an animal, one of God’s creations that humans are meant to have authority over. But in this story, the animal subverts God’s order and leads humanity into sin. Later biblical authors present the serpent as Satan or some other evil spiritual force.
Why did God say Adam and Eve would die if they ate the forbidden fruit?
Adam and Eve didn’t immediately die upon eating the forbidden fruit. Did that mean God lied to them? I don’t think so. Here are two possible ways of interpreting God’s warning:
- Many believe God’s words referred to spiritual death. When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, a separation formed between God and humanity because of this “original sin.”
- Others believe that God’s words referred not to an immediate physical death, but an eventual death. While Adam and Eve lived long lives following the fall, both did eventually die. These deaths could have been avoided had they refused to eat the forbidden fruit.
Reflect or Discuss:
The story of the fall is not just about Adam and Eve. It is about all of us. Their story helps us understand our struggles with trust, temptation, and sin, while also pointing us to the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
As you reflect on what you’ve read, take a few moments to think or talk through these questions:
- What voices in your life are shaping your view of God, yourself, and others?
- In what ways are you tempted to rely on your wisdom instead of trusting God’s wisdom?
- How can you respond to God’s grace today?