John Calvin Commentary Luke 24:30

"And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking [it] he gave to them." — Luke 24:30 (ASV)

He took bread. Augustine, and the greater part of other commentators along with him, have thought that Christ gave the bread, not as an ordinary meal, but as the sacred symbol of his body. And, indeed, it might be said with some plausibility, that the Lord was eventually recognized in the spiritual mirror of the Lord’s Supper, for the disciples did not know him when they saw him with their bodily eyes.

But as this conjecture has no probable basis, I prefer to view the words of Luke as meaning that Christ, in taking the bread, gave thanks according to his custom. It appears that he used his distinctive and customary form of prayer, which he knew the disciples were accustomed to, so that, alerted by this sign, they might arouse their senses.

Meanwhile, let us learn from our Master's example, whenever we eat bread, to offer thanksgiving to the Author of life, — an action that will distinguish us from irreligious men.