For many Christians, the gospel begins in the New Testament. The story of Jesus—His virgin birth, sinless life, death on the cross, and resurrection—seems like a divine interruption in human history, a heavenly rescue plan launched in response to our sin. But the truth is far deeper and far older. The gospel didn’t begin with the manger in Bethlehem; it began in a garden long before. In fact, the very first proclamation of the gospel appears not in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John—but in Genesis 3:15, just moments after sin entered the world.
Theologians call it the Protoevangelium—a word that means “first gospel.” It’s a term many believers never hear in church, and yet it captures one of the most breathtaking truths in all of Scripture: God revealed His plan of redemption from the very beginning. It was not an afterthought. It was not a Plan B. It was the very heartbeat of God, echoing through the entire Bible.
Let’s explore how this first gospel promise came to be, how it unfolds through Scripture, and why it is still essential for believers to understand today.
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The Tragedy in the Garden
Genesis 1 and 2 tell the story of creation’s perfection. God created everything and called it good. Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the day, naked and unashamed, in a paradise designed for communion with their Creator. But Genesis 3 introduces a terrible fracture.
The serpent, identified later in Scripture as Satan (Revelation 12:9), deceived Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. Adam, though not deceived, joined her in disobedience. In that moment, sin entered the human race. Innocence was lost, fellowship was broken, and death took root.
God’s response was swift. He confronted Adam, Eve, and the serpent. But what He said to the serpent included more than just judgment—it held a glimmer of hope. In Genesis 3:15, God spoke these words:
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The Gospel Hidden in the Curse
At first glance, Genesis 3:15 may appear to be a cryptic curse directed at a snake. But careful reading reveals so much more. This verse is widely understood by theologians to be the first prophecy of the coming Messiah—and thus, the first gospel.
The promise outlines a future battle between the offspring of the woman and the serpent. The serpent will bruise the heel of this coming seed, but the seed will crush the serpent’s head. The imagery is powerful. A bruised heel may be painful, but a crushed head is fatal.
In this poetic curse, God announces that a descendant of the woman will suffer a wound at the hands of the serpent (Satan), but will in turn deal a mortal blow to Satan’s power and reign. This is nothing less than a prophecy of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
Seed of the Woman: A Strange Phrase with Deep Meaning
The wording of Genesis 3:15 is unusual. In the ancient world—and throughout Scripture—lineage is traced through the man. Yet here, God speaks of the “seed of the woman.” This deviation is significant.
Theologians have long seen in this phrase a veiled reference to the virgin birth of Jesus. Unlike every other human in history, Jesus was born of a woman without a human father. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, and she conceived (Luke 1:35). Jesus is, quite literally, the seed of the woman.
This subtle detail embedded in Genesis points forward to a miraculous birth that would usher in the Savior of the world. From the very beginning, God was preparing us for the Incarnation.
Tracing the Promise Through Scripture
After Genesis 3:15, the promise doesn’t disappear—it expands. As the biblical narrative unfolds, God continues to speak of a coming One who will rescue and redeem.
In Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This echoes the same promise of a deliverer, now specified to come through Abraham’s line.
In Genesis 49:10, the prophecy narrows again: “The scepter will not depart from Judah… until he to whom it belongs shall come.” The Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah.
2 Samuel 7:12–13 records God’s covenant with David, promising that one of his descendants would reign forever on the throne. This forever-king would be the serpent-crusher foretold in Eden.
Isaiah 7:14 declares that a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and Isaiah 9:6–7 names Him as the “Mighty God” and “Prince of Peace.”
Each prophecy builds upon the foundation of Genesis 3:15. The Messiah will come. He will suffer. But He will triumph.
The Fulfillment in Christ
In the fullness of time, Jesus came. Galatians 4:4–5 says,
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law.”
Jesus was the promised seed. Satan bruised His heel at the cross, but Jesus crushed the serpent’s head through His atoning death and victorious resurrection.
Colossians 2:15 tells us that Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities” and “made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Hebrews 2:14 says that through death, Christ destroyed the one who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.
Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled, not in a military conquest, but in the self-sacrifice of the Son of God. The serpent’s defeat came through a bruised heel that bled for our sins.
From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained
The story that began in a garden ends in another garden—this time, in the New Jerusalem, where the tree of life stands once again (Revelation 22:2). There is no more curse, no more death, and no more separation.
Revelation 12 presents a panoramic view of the war between the woman, her offspring, and the dragon (Satan). It ties back to Genesis 3:15 in dramatic fashion, showing the ultimate outcome of the promise made at the dawn of time.
The final triumph belongs to the Lamb who was slain and now lives forever.
Why the Term Is Rarely Taught Today
Despite its profound theological importance, the term Protoevangelium is rarely used in modern churches. There are several reasons for this:
First, it is a theological term—not a biblical one. It doesn’t appear in the text, so unless pastors are trained in biblical theology or historical doctrine, it may never arise in sermons.
Second, much of modern preaching is topical and application-driven. Deep connections between the Old and New Testaments are often neglected in favor of more “practical” messages.
Third, many churches focus heavily on the New Testament and minimize the theological depth of the Old. As a result, truths like the Protoevangelium remain hidden, even though they form the foundation of the entire redemptive story.
This is why uncovering the Protoevangelium matters. It shows us that the Bible is not a collection of disconnected stories but one grand narrative of redemption. It reminds us that God was never caught off guard by sin. He had a plan from the very beginning.
The Victory That Was Promised
The beauty of the Protoevangelium is not just that it’s old—it’s that it’s enduring. The promise still stands. The serpent has been crushed, and the victory is ours in Christ.
Romans 16:20 puts it beautifully:
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
The first gospel spoken in the garden still echoes today in the hearts of believers. What was whispered in Genesis is now shouted from an empty tomb. The seed of the woman has come. The serpent has been defeated. And redemption is complete.
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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