Joseph's answer reveals the power of religious principle. He would not betray the confidence of his master on earth, and, whatever the consequences, he would be true to his Master in heaven. Under the inspecting eye of God and holy angels many take liberties of which they would not be guilty in the presence of their fellow men, but Joseph's first thought was of God. "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" he said.

Josefs svar viser de religiøse princippers magt. Han ville ikke forråde sin jordiske herres tillid, og hvad end følgerne blev, ville han vedblive at være tro mod sin himmelske Herre. For Guds og englenes ransagende øjne er der mange, som tager sig friheder, som de ikke ville gøre sig skyld i, hvis deres medmennesker var til stede; men Josefs første tanke gjaldt Gud. "Hvor skulle jeg da kunne øve denne store misgerning og synde mod Gud!" sagde han.