John Calvin Commentary Genesis 40:16

"When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head:" — Genesis 40:16 (ASV)

When the chief baker saw, he does not care concerning the skill and fidelity of Joseph as an interpreter; but because Joseph had brought good and useful news to his companion, he also desires an interpretation, which he hopes will prove to his liking. So, many desire the word of God with eagerness and enthusiasm, not because they simply wish to be governed by the Lord and to know what is right, but because they dream of mere enjoyment.

When, however, the teaching does not correspond with their wishes, they depart sorrowful and wounded. Now, although the explanation of the dream was about to prove unpleasant and severe, yet Joseph, by declaring without ambiguity what had been revealed to him, faithfully carried out the task divinely entrusted to him.

This freedom must be maintained by prophets and teachers, so that they do not hesitate in their teaching to inflict a wound on those whom God has sentenced to death. Everyone loves to be flattered. Hence, the majority of teachers, in their desire to yield to the corrupt wishes of the world, adulterate the word of God.

Therefore, no one is a sincere minister of God’s word except for the one who, despising reproach and being ready to attack various offenses whenever necessary, frames his method of teaching according to the command of God. Joseph would, indeed, have preferred to predict good things for both; but since it is not in his power to give good fortune to anyone, nothing remains for him but to frankly pronounce whatever he has received from the Lord.

Thus, in former times, although the people chose for themselves prophets who would promise them an abundance of wine, oil, and grain, while they loudly denounced the holy prophets because these prophets uttered nothing but threats (for these complaints are recorded in Micah), it was still the duty of the servants of the Lord, who had been sent to denounce vengeance, to proceed with severity, even though they brought hatred and danger upon themselves.