What is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?

TL;DR:

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was a tree God planted in the garden of Eden from which He commanded Adam and Eve not to eat. Adam and Eve’s disobedience in eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil brought severe consequences of sin and brought death just as God warned it would.

what does the bible say?

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was located in the garden of Eden, as described in Genesis 2:9 and 2:16–17, where God commanded Adam not to eat its fruit. Despite having all their needs met, Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command and ate from the tree, which led to their awareness of nakedness and shame (Genesis 3:1–7) and led to spiritual death and the curse of sin. To prevent them from living forever in a fallen state, God expelled them from the garden of Eden and blocked access to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:22–24). This narrative highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the serious consequences of sin.

from the old testament

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is recorded in the Bible in Genesis 2:9 and Genesis 2:16–17. These passages describe its location in the garden of Eden and God's command to Adam regarding not eating its fruit.
The disobedience of Adam and Eve by eating from this tree is detailed in Genesis 3:1–7, leading to significant consequences for humanity.
When God created Eden, He placed two trees in the middle of a garden (Genesis 2:9). One was the Tree of Life. The other was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The garden itself was filled with "every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food" (Genesis 2:9). God said, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16–17). Adam and Eve were surrounded by food. They had meaningful work and purpose (Genesis 1:28–29; 2:15). They also had fellowship with God (Genesis 3:8) and with one another (Genesis 2:23–25). They had everything they needed.
However, Adam and Eve did not obey God. They chose to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and as a result, several significant consequences unfolded. After eating the fruit, Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness and felt shame (Genesis 3:7). They hid from God's presence when they heard Him walking in the garden (Genesis 3:8). God pronounced consequences for their disobedience: to the serpent (Genesis 3:14–15), to Eve (Genesis 3:16), and to Adam (Genesis 3:17–19). God also expelled them from the garden of Eden to prevent them from eating from the tree of life and living forever in a fallen state (Genesis 3:22–24). The promise that God made regarding the consequences of eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil came true.

from the new testament

Paradise without the ability to leave is just a pretty prison. God didn't want prisoners or slaves. He wanted people. Adam and Eve, and people today, are foolish enough to walk away but loved enough to be rescued (John 3:16). Although Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, God made the way for them and for us to be rescued from the sin and death it brought (Genesis 3;15). Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, and all who believe in Him will not face the penalty of our sin because Jesus took the penalty for us (Romans 5:8–21; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Ephesians 1:3–14; 2:1–10).

implications for today

Adam and Eve were created by God, and He breathed His breath into them (Genesis 2:7). They were created in the image of God, different from all other creatures already created, both material and spiritual (Genesis 1:27). They were to care for His creation, use their own creativity, and live rich, content lives in an easy harmony with God as their will aligned with His (Genesis 1:28–31). Adam and Eve were sinless, but they were also innocent. They had no evil in them, and their characters were untouched by exposure to evil. They were put in a place perfectly designed for them. All their needs were met; they had companionship, communion with God, work, and food. But communion without choice isn't communion. It's been said many times that God did not create mankind to be puppets. It was not His will to determine our every action. Instead, He did something much more powerful and much more dangerous. He created beings who were endowed with His will and character, but were not controlled by Him. Just as Adam and Eve were given the freedom to choose, we, too, have the freedom to make choices in our lives. We must remember that God’s ways are the best ways. We must consider the weight and consequences of our decisions, reminding us that with freedom comes responsibility. Adam and Eve had everything they needed provided by God, yet they sought more by disobeying Him. God calls us to be content (Philippians 4:11–13) and to trust in God's provision and timing in our own lives (Psalm 34:10; Philippians 4:19).

understand

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was in the garden of Eden. God commanded Adam not to eat from this tree, warning that doing so would lead to death.
Adam and Eve's disobedience by eating the fruit led to their awareness of nakedness, shame, and God's pronouncement of judgment.
When Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, God expelled them from Eden to prevent them from accessing the Tree of Life.

reflect

How can you better align your will with God's will in your daily life?
How do you handle temptations that challenge your trust in God's provision and timing?
What steps can you take to cultivate contentment in God's provisions?

engage

What does the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil teach us about God’s intent in creating humans with volition and their call to obedience?
How does the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil challenge us in the way we obey God and respond to temptation?
How can we remind each other of the importance of trusting in God's provision and being content?