THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
When the designated moment arrived, Joseph's predictions were proven true in action: one individual was reinstated to his prior fortune, while the other faced execution.
Genesis 40:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
The third day after this was the birthday of Pharao: and he made a great feast for his servants, and at the banquet remembered the chief butler, and the chief baker.
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י י֚וֹם הֻלֶּ֣דֶת אֶת־פַּרְעֹ֔ה וַיַּ֥עַשׂ מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה לְכָל־עֲבָדָ֑יו וַיִּשָּׂ֞א אֶת־רֹ֣אשׁ ׀ שַׂ֣ר הַמַּשְׁקִ֗ים וְאֶת־רֹ֛אשׁ שַׂ֥ר הָאֹפִ֖ים בְּת֥וֹךְ עֲבָדָֽיו׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Ephraem the Syrian
Joseph interpreted two dreams while imprisoned for Pharaoh's servants. One servant was executed on the very day Joseph had predicted, while the other was restored to his former position and had his cup returned to him, as Joseph had foretold. When the chief cupbearer and the chief baker shared their dreams, Joseph succinctly revealed the details of what would transpire, including the restoration of the chief cupbearer and the execution of the chief baker. To fulfill the interpretations of these dreams, Pharaoh hosted a banquet for his officials after three days and recalled the chief cupbearer to his original post, while the chief baker faced death at the king's command. However, the chief cupbearer neglected to remember Joseph.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 40:13After which Pharao will remember thy service, and will restore thee to thy former place: and thou shalt present him the cup according to thy office, as before thou was wont to do.
- Gen 40:19After which Pharao will take thy head from thee, and hang thee on a cross, and the birds shall tear thy flesh.
- Matt 14:6But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them: and pleased Herod.
- Mark 6:21And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for his birthday, for the princes, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee.
- Luke 16:1And he said also to his disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods.
- Luke 16:2And he called him and said to him: How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship: for now thou canst be steward no longer.
- Matt 18:23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants.
- Matt 18:25And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.