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John Wesley, Notes On the New Testament (1755):
Judah and his brethren were waiting for an
answer, and could not but be amazed to discover, instead of the gravity
of a judge, the natural affection of a father or brother. [1.] Cause
every man to go out-The private conversations of friends are the most
free. When Joseph would put on love, he puts off state, which it was not
fit his servants should be witnesses of. Thus Christ graciously
manifests himself and his loving kindness to his people, out of the
sight and hearing of the world.
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The Fourfold Gospel:
No comment on this verse.
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
* could not. Ge 43:30,31; Isa 42:14; Jer 20:9
* Cause. 2Sa 1:20; Mt 18:15; Ac 10:41; 1Co 13:5
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Robertson's Word Pictures:
No comment on this verse.
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William Burkitt's Notes:
No comment on this verse.
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Family Bible Notes:
Then Joseph; in all his preceding conduct
towards his brethren, which had the appearance of harshness, Joseph had
acted by a divine illumination; not for the gratification of his own
private feelings, but for the accomplishment of the divine purposes,
which included the humiliation of his brethren, and the trial of their
feelings towards their father and Benjamin. Now the way was fully
prepared for making himself known to his brethren.
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1599 Geneva Bible Notes:
Not because he was ashamed of his kindred,
but rather because he wanted to cover his brother's sin.
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People's New Testament Commentary:
No comment on this verse.
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Albert Barnes' Commentary:
No comment on this verse.
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Jamieson-Faussett Brown:
Then Joseph could not refrain
himself--The severity of the inflexible magistrate here gives way to the
natural feelings of the man and the brother. However well he had
disciplined his mind, he felt it impossible to resist the artless
eloquence of Judah. He saw a satisfactory proof, in the return of all
his brethren on such an occasion, that they were affectionately united
to one another; he had heard enough to convince him that time,
reflection, or grace had made a happy improvement on their characters;
and he would probably have proceeded in a calm and leisurely manner to
reveal himself as prudence might have dictated. But when he heard the
heroic self-sacrifice of Judah [Ge 44:33] and realized all the affection
of that proposal--a proposal for which he was totally unprepared--he was
completely unmanned; he felt himself forced to bring this painful trial
to an end.
he cried, Cause every man to go out from me--In ordering the departure
of witnesses of this last scene, he acted as a warm-hearted and real
friend to his brothers--his conduct was dictated by motives of the
highest prudence--that of preventing their early iniquities from
becoming known either to the members of his household, or among the
people of Egypt.
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Spurgeon Devotional
Commentary:
After Judah's thrilling speech a solemn
pause would follow. All hearts were full, but all tongues were silent.
It was not meet that strangers should view that tender scene. When Jesus
reveals himself to his chosen, it is "not unto the world."
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Adam Clarke's Commentary:
Joseph could not refrain himself] The
word 
hithappek is very emphatic;
it signifies to force one's self, to do something against nature, to do
violence to one's self. Joseph could no longer constrain himself to act
a feigned part-all the brother and the son rose up in him at once, and
overpowered all his resolutions; he felt for his father, he realized his
disappointment and agony; and he felt for his brethren, "now at his feet
submissive in distress;" and, that he' might give free and full scope to
his feelings, and the most ample play of the workings of his
affectionate heart, he ordered all his attendants to go out, while he
made himself known to his brethren. "The beauties of this chapter," says
Dr. Dodd, "are so striking, that it would be an indignity to the
reader's judgment to point them out; all who can read and feel must be
sensible of them, as there is perhaps nothing in sacred or profane
history more highly wrought up, more interesting or affecting."
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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary:
1-15
Joseph let Judah go on, and heard all he had to say. He found his
brethren humbled for their sins, mindful of himself, for Judah had
mentioned him twice in his speech, respectful to their father, and very
tender of their brother Benjamin. Now they were ripe for the comfort he
designed, by making himself known. Joseph ordered all his attendants to
withdraw. Thus Christ makes himself and his loving-kindness known to his
people, out of the sight and hearing of the world. Joseph shed tears of
tenderness and strong affection, and with these threw off that austerity
with which he had hitherto behaved toward his brethren. This represents
the Divine compassion toward returning penitents. "I am Joseph, your
brother." This would humble them yet more for their sin in selling him,
but would encourage them to hope for kind treatment. Thus, when Christ
would convince Paul, he said, I am Jesus; and when he would comfort his
disciples, he said, It is I, be not afraid. When Christ manifests
himself to his people, he encourages them to draw near to him with a
true heart. Joseph does so, and shows them, that whatever they thought
to do against him, God had brought good out of it. Sinners must grieve
and be angry with themselves for their sins, though God brings good out
of it, for that is no thanks to them. The agreement between all this,
and the case of a sinner, on Christ's manifesting himself to his soul,
is very striking. He does not, on this account, think sin a less, but a
greater evil; and yet he is so armed against despair, as even to rejoice
in what God hath wrought, while he trembles in thinking of the dangers
and destruction from which he has escaped. Joseph promises to take care
of his father and all the family. It is the duty of children, if the
necessity of their parents at any time require it, to support and supply
them to the utmost of their ability; this is showing piety at home, 1Ti
5:4. After Joseph had embraced Benjamin, he caressed them all, and then
his brethren talked with him freely of all the affairs of their father's
house. After the tokens of true reconciliation with the Lord Jesus,
sweet communion with him follows.
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