The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

To break bread. Though breaking of bread doth sometimes signify among the Hebrews a domestical banquet: yet do I expound the same of the holy supper in this place, being moved with two reasons. For seeing we may easily gather by that which followeth, that there was no small multitude gathered together there: it is unlikely that there could any supper be prepared in a private house. Again Luke will afterward declare that Paul took bread, not at supper time, but after midnight. Hereunto is added that, that he saith not that he took meat that he might eat. but that he might only taste. Therefore I think thus, that they had appointed a solemn day for the celebrating of the holy supper of the Lord among themselves, which might be commodious for them all. And to the end Paul might remedy after a sort the silence of longer absence, he continueth his speech longer then he did commonly use to do. That which I spake of the great number of men is gathered thence, because there were many lights in the upper chamber: which was not done for any pomp or ostentation, but only for necessities sake. For when there is no need, it is ambition & vanity which maketh men bestow cost. Furthermore it was meet that all the whole place should shine with lights least that holy company might be suspected of some wickedness or dishonesty: add also another conjecture, if the chamber had bin empty, those which were present would not have suffered Eutichus to sit upon a window. For it had bin filthy licentiousness in despising the heavenly doctrine, to depart aside into a widow, seeing there was room enough elsewhere.

To breake bread. Though breaking of bread doth sometimes signifie among the Hebrewes a domestical banquet: yet do I expound the same of the holie supper in this place, being moued with two reasons. For seeing we may easily gather by that which foloweth, that ther was no smal multitude gathered together there: it is vnlikely that there could any supper be prepared in a priuate house. Again Luke wil afterward declare that Paul tooke bread, not at supper time, but after midnight. Herevnto is added that, that he saith not that he tooke meate that he might eate. but that he might onlie tast. Therefore I thinke thus, that they had appointed a solemn day for the celebrating of the holy supper of the Lord among themselues, which might be commodious for them all. And to the end Paul might remedy after a sort the silence of longer absence, he continueth his speech longer then he did commonly vse to doe. That which I spake of the great number of men is gathered thence, because there were many lights in the vpper chamber: which was not done for anie pompe or ostentation, but only for necessities sake. For when there is no need, it is ambition & vanitie which maketh men bestow cost. Furthermore it was meet that all the whole place should shyne with lights least that holy company might be suspected of some wickednes or dishonestie: adde also another coniecture, if the chamber had bin emptye, those which were present would not haue suffered Eutichus to sit vpō a window. For it had bin filthy licenciousnes in despising the heauēly doctrin, to depart aside into a widow, seing ther was room inough elswhere.