Genesis 45:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He could no longer endure it, being surrounded by those near to him. After dismissing everyone, he was left alone with his brothers, weeping loudly and revealing his identity to them. This revelation was made known throughout the kingdom and in Pharaoh's palace. He asked his siblings, "I am Joseph; is my father still alive?" Here, one must admire the steadfastness of this blessed man, who managed to conceal his identity despite the emotional turmoil, and even more so, it is astonishing how his brothers could retain their composure. They opened their mouths, yet their souls seemed to hang in the balance; their minds were not shaken, and they did not collapse in fear. However, "his brethren could not answer him because they were dismayed before him." Understandably so. Considering the wrongs they had committed against him and how he had responded, along with the greatness he had attained, they were troubled to the core, as if for their very lives.

As astonishment enveloped everyone present, he altered his speech and manner of speaking, and without the aid of an interpreter, he declared in Hebrew, ‘I am Joseph your brother.’ His brothers were left speechless, filled with dread. They feared that, upon realizing their wrongdoing, he might bring about their demise. Joseph openly addressed his brothers, instilling fear and trembling among them, saying, ‘I am Joseph, the one you sold into slavery, and now I hold dominion over you, despite your reluctance.’ In a similar manner, the Lord will reveal the cross in a radiant form to those who crucified Him, and they shall recognize both the cross and their crucified Savior. Can you perceive how perfectly Joseph embodies the likeness of the Son of God—his Lord?

He proclaims: I am the same One who stated, ‘Here am I’ (Is. 52:6), and I revealed Myself to those who did not inquire about Me; I was discovered by those who did not seek Me (Is. 65:1). What other statement could He have made but ‘I am Jesus’ when the Jewish authorities challenged Him, asking, ‘Are You the Son of God?’ He responded, ‘You say that I am’ (Luke 22:70). Furthermore, when He addressed Pilate, saying, ‘You say that I am King; I was born for this’ (Jn. 18:37), and when the high priest pressed Him, ‘I adjure you by the living God, tell us, are you the Christ, the Son of God?’ (Matt. 26:63), He replied, ‘You have said it. Truly I say to you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven’ (Matt. 26:64). When He claims 'I have divine authority,' it conveys that ‘I am Joseph.’

They were overwhelmed by his presence. This complex emotion likely consisted of joy, fear, astonishment, and regret.

“Is my father still alive?” The brothers had already informed Joseph that their father was in good health; nevertheless, the son, filled with deep affection for his father, felt compelled to seek clarification once again. - “And the brethren could not answer him; they were troubled.” The unexpected nature of Joseph's inquiry, delivered in Hebrew after previously speaking through an interpreter, the guilt of having wronged him, and perhaps the anxiety over retribution for their past actions, left the brothers profoundly unsettled, unable to respond to Joseph's words.