Genesis Chapter 3 Explained: The Fall of Man and the Origin of Sin (KJV Commentary)
The Subtlety of the Serpent and the First Temptation (Genesis 3:1–5)
1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
The serpent is introduced as cunning and deceptive, setting the stage for the great temptation. The serpent’s question is misleading, subtly twisting God’s words. He sows doubt by challenging the certainty and fairness of God’s command.
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Eve initially responds truthfully, affirming the liberty God granted. This shows she had knowledge of God’s instructions.
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Here, Eve adds “neither shall ye touch it,” which God did not say in Genesis 2:17. This small exaggeration may reflect internal confusion or a softening of the actual command. It highlights how distortions of God’s word can lead to error.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
This direct contradiction to God’s word is the first recorded lie in Scripture. The serpent denies the consequence, introducing the core of temptation—disbelief in divine judgment.
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
The serpent implies that God is withholding something good. He tempts Eve with the promise of enlightenment and autonomy, suggesting that obeying God limits personal potential.
The Fall of Man (Genesis 3:6–7)
6 And when the woman saw 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, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Eve is drawn in by the appeal to physical appetite, beauty, and wisdom—a threefold temptation echoed in 1 John 2:16. Adam’s participation is passive; he eats without protest. Together, their act is deliberate disobedience against God’s command.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Immediately, innocence is lost. Their new “knowledge” brings shame, not empowerment. They attempt to cover their nakedness, reflecting an inner awareness of guilt and separation from God.
The Confrontation with God (Genesis 3:8–13)
8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
The intimate fellowship between God and man is broken. Instead of welcoming God, they hide. Sin produces fear and alienation from God’s presence.
9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
This question is not for God’s knowledge but for Adam’s conscience. It invites reflection and confession.
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Adam admits fear but not sin. He is aware of his vulnerability, but the confession is incomplete.
11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
God’s questions continue, exposing Adam’s disobedience. This is divine confrontation, not condemnation—designed to lead to repentance.
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
Adam shifts blame—not only to Eve but indirectly to God. His confession is reluctant and self-justifying.
13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Eve also deflects responsibility, blaming the serpent. Both responses show a refusal to fully own up to their choices, indicating the damage sin has done to integrity and relationships.
Divine Judgment and Curses (Genesis 3:14–19)
14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
God curses the serpent directly, unlike Adam and Eve who are judged through consequences. The imagery of crawling and eating dust symbolizes humiliation and defeat.
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
This verse, called the Protoevangelium (first gospel), hints at a future Redeemer. The woman’s seed (Christ) will crush the serpent’s head—a fatal blow—while the serpent only wounds His heel, symbolizing Christ’s suffering.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
The woman’s judgment involves pain in childbirth and a distorted relationship with her husband. The phrase “thy desire shall be to thy husband” implies tension, possibly domination, in the marriage relationship—a consequence of the Fall.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree… cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Adam’s sin results in a cursed ground, making labor toilsome. His disobedience brought frustration to his God-given role as caretaker of the earth.
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
The natural world now resists man’s efforts. Thorns and thistles represent hardship, symbolizing the brokenness of the environment due to sin.
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground… for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Death is now part of human destiny. The promise of death in Genesis 2:17 is fulfilled. Man, formed from dust, will return to dust. Life now involves struggle, labor, and mortality.
God’s Provision and Exile (Genesis 3:20–24)
20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
Despite the Fall, Adam expresses faith in God’s promise by naming his wife “Eve” (Chavvah in Hebrew), signifying life. This demonstrates hope in the midst of judgment.
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
God provides a more adequate covering than fig leaves—animal skins. This act is symbolic: sin requires a covering that involves sacrifice, prefiguring the concept of atonement through blood.
22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil… and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
God acknowledges man’s new state. To prevent eternal life in a fallen condition, He takes action. The phrase “as one of us” reflects divine plurality, hinting at the Trinity.
23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Man is exiled from Eden, a necessary act of mercy and judgment. Though driven out, he is not abandoned. He is still tasked with labor, retaining a degree of dignity.
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword… to keep the way of the tree of life.
Access to the tree of life is blocked. The cherubim and flaming sword represent divine holiness and protection. This imagery reflects how sin separates man from God, and access to eternal life must now come through redemption.
Key Themes in Genesis Chapter 3
The Nature and Strategy of Temptation
Temptation often begins with questioning God’s Word and character. The serpent’s method—distortion, denial, and false promises—mirrors how sin operates today. Sin appeals to desire but results in shame and separation.
The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God brings relational, spiritual, and physical consequences. Adam and Eve’s sin damages their relationship with God, with each other, and with creation itself. Death enters the world, both spiritually and physically.
The Promise of Redemption
Genesis 3:15 introduces a glimmer of hope in the midst of judgment. The seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head—an early prophecy of Christ’s victory over sin and Satan.
God’s Justice and Mercy
God judges sin justly but also shows mercy. He seeks out Adam and Eve, provides clothing, and gives a promise of future deliverance. The exile from Eden is a protective measure, not merely punishment.
Human Responsibility
Each individual must take responsibility for their actions. Adam and Eve’s blame-shifting highlights human tendency to avoid accountability. True confession is essential for restoration.
Theological Significance of Genesis 3
Genesis 3 is foundational for Christian theology. It explains the origin of sin, the fall of mankind, and the need for a Savior. Every major biblical doctrine—atonement, salvation, covenant, and eschatology—connects back to this chapter.
Through this narrative, we understand:
- Why humanity is broken
- Why death and suffering exist
- Why we need redemption
- Why Jesus had to come
The chapter is not myth but revelation. It diagnoses humanity’s deepest problem and offers the first sign of divine intervention to restore what was lost.
Literary Elements in Genesis 3
Genesis 3 employs dialogue, symbolism, and structure to convey its message. The contrast between God’s commands and the serpent’s lies creates dramatic tension. The progression from temptation to sin to judgment follows a logical sequence.
Key literary devices include:
- Irony: The serpent promises enlightenment but delivers shame.
- Parallelism: The curses are symmetrical, addressing serpent, woman, and man.
- Symbolism: Nakedness, fig leaves, the tree of life, and the sword all carry theological weight.
The narrative flow is smooth yet deeply layered, with profound implications behind each phrase.
Conclusion of Genesis 3 Explained
Genesis chapter 3 marks the turning point of the human story. What began in innocence ends in exile. Humanity, created for fellowship with God, chooses autonomy and suffers the consequences. Yet, amid the curse, a promise of redemption shines through.
The chapter explains why the world is broken and why humanity cannot fix itself. It lays the groundwork for understanding God’s redemptive plan—ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the promised seed who will crush the serpent, restore access to the tree of life, and reconcile man to God.