What Is the Fruit of the Tree of Life? — Understanding Genesis 2–3
When we read Genesis 2, we find two extraordinary trees placed at the center of the Garden of Eden:
the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Genesis 2:9
“In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
These two trees bore two different kinds of fruit with two completely different outcomes:
one gives eternal life, and the other brings death.
God’s command to Adam was very clear.
Genesis 2:16–17
“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.”
Adam and Eve eventually ate the forbidden fruit, and afterward God expressed concern that they might also reach out their hands to take from the Tree of Life.
Genesis 3:22
“He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”
This leads us to an important question:
✅ What Is the Fruit of the Tree of Life?
The Bible teaches that God spoke in parables and symbols (Matthew 13:34–35).
Therefore, the two trees in Eden are not ordinary fruit trees, but spiritual symbols that represent life and death.
So what does the fruit of the Tree of Life represent?
Throughout Scripture, the Tree of Life is connected with eternal life, and the Bible consistently explains that eternal life comes through God’s word.
John 6:63
“The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”
Jesus said that His words are life.
Proverbs also describes wisdom—which comes from God—as a Tree of Life.
Proverbs 3:18
“She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.”
This shows that what gives us life is not a physical fruit, but the truth, wisdom, and living word that come from God.
Therefore, the fruit of the Tree of Life represents:
✅ The life-giving word of God
✅ The truth that leads to eternal life
✅ The teachings given by God and His Son
Jesus confirms this again:
John 14:6
“I am the way and the truth and the life.”
Jesus Himself is life, and the words He speaks are the fruit that gives life to those who receive them.
✅ What About the Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?
If the fruit of the Tree of Life is the true word,
then the forbidden fruit represents the false word—teachings that oppose God’s truth and lead people into death.
The serpent deceived Adam and Eve not with a physical fruit but through twisted words, a lie mixed with partial truth.
In the same way, Scripture shows a clear distinction between:
- those who teach true doctrine that leads to life, and
- those who spread false teachings that lead to death.
✅ Conclusion: The Fruit of the Tree of Life Is the “Word of Truth That Gives Eternal Life”
The two trees in Genesis introduce one of the Bible’s most important themes:
✔ Fruit of the Tree of Life = the true, life-giving word of God
✔ Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil = false teaching that brings spiritual death
God desires people to eat the right fruit,
receive the true word,
and obtain eternal life.
And the one who fully revealed this truth is Jesus Christ,
whose words bring life to all who listen and believe.
