Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.

This occurs amid God’s pronouncement of judgment after Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Having eaten the forbidden fruit, they introduced sin and death into the world, fracturing the relationship with God.

Theologians have long recognized this verse as the seedbed of the gospel, the first gospel, the protoevangelium. It foreshadows a Savior who will emerge from humanity to defeat Satan, the instigator of sin.

Below are some quotes from different theologians on Genesis 3:15:

Martin Luther – This is the first Gospel proclamation in the world… Here is the promise that the woman’s Seed will come to destroy the kingdom of the devil.

John Calvin – This passage contains the first promise of salvation… Christ is here designated as the seed of the woman, who should bruise the head of the serpent.

Charles Hodge – The first promise of redemption was given immediately after the fall, and it was a promise of deliverance through the seed of the woman.

Herman Bavinck– Genesis 3:15 is the mother promise of Scripture, the protoevangelium, which announces the final victory of the woman’s seed over the serpent.

R.C. Sproul – The first gospel preached on earth was preached by God Himself in the Garden, declaring the ultimate triumph of the Messiah over Satan.”

The imagery in this verse is striking. The head represents authority and power, while the heel suggests vulnerability. The serpent’s head being crushed implies a decisive, fatal defeat, whereas the strike to the heel indicates a wound that, though painful, is not ultimately victorious.

Eve, as the mother of all living, becomes the starting point for the line of descendants that will lead to the promised he. This offspring is not a collective group but a specific individual who will act on behalf of humanity. As we trace this promise through Scripture, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary child; it’s a divine deliverer.

The New Testament unveils Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15. From His miraculous birth to His victorious resurrection, Jesus embodies the promised offspring who delivers the fatal blow to Satan.

In Galatians 4:4, Paul writes, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” Jesus enters the world through Mary, fulfilling the promise of the woman’s offspring. His virgin birth emphasizes His unique identity as both fully human and fully divine—God incarnate stepping into the conflict foretold in Eden.

The serpent’s strike to the heel finds its fulfillment in the crucifixion. On the cross, Jesus suffers a grievous wound as He bears the sin of the world. John 19:17-18 describes His execution, and Hebrews 2:14 explains its purpose: “that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death; that is, the devil.” The strike to His heel is real and agonizing, but it is not the end of the story.

The resurrection is the decisive moment when Jesus crushes the serpent’s head. Colossians 2:15 declares, having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Satan’s power is broken; his defeat sealed. Revelation 20:10 looks forward to the ultimate consummation of this victory, when the devil is cast into the lake of fire forever.

Genesis 3:15 reminds us that God’s plan of redemption was never an afterthought; it was His intention from the start. The protoevangelium is the foundation of the gospel message: God has provided a Savior to undo the curse of sin.

From the garden to the cross, from the curse to the crown, the Bible tells one story: the story of a Savior who crushes the serpent and redeems His people. Let’s marvel at this truth, rest in its hope, and share it with a world in need of redemption.

Life Application

When facing personal failures or challenges, trust that God has a plan for restoration and redemption, just as He promised a Savior immediately after the fall. In daily life, setbacks like rejection, loss, or hardship are real but not final; lean on the promise of ultimate victory through Christ to keep moving forward. The protoevangelium is the foundation of the gospel, a message of hope for all; in your interactions, look for opportunities to share kindness, encouragement, or the story of Jesus’ victory, offering hope to others in a broken world.

Prayer Points

Ask for courage to share the message of redemption with colleagues and peers.

Pray for strength to resist the enemy’s schemes and walk in obedience to God.

Pray for perseverance and confidence in God’s promises, even in difficult seasons.

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