Theophilus of Antioch — To Autolycus 2.25

The tree of knowledge was not evil as a tree; disobedience was evil. Knowledge itself is good when used rightly. Adam was still a child; he could not yet receive knowledge as he should.

That is why God forbade him to take from the tree for a time — not from jealousy, but so that he might grow first. Disobedience finally brought death.