The Echoes of 1533: Melchior Hofmann and the Delusions of Crowds

The Illusions of a Prophet: Melchior Hofmann and the Apocalyptic Vision

The year 1533 marked a pivotal moment in the life of Melchior Hofmann, an Anabaptist prophet whose fervent beliefs captivated and ultimately led many astray. Unwisely returning to Strasbourg, Hofmann faced a Senate that convicted him of heresies, not least for his audacious prophecy: that Jesus would return in an Apocalypse in that very year, establishing the New Jerusalem in Strasbourg itself.

Hofmann’s conviction stemmed from a complex interpretation of biblical texts, particularly the books of Daniel and Revelation. He calculated the world would endure for 6,000 years from creation, believing his era represented the final “week” before its cataclysmic end. This was not an isolated incident; history, both before and after Hofmann, is replete with similar predictions of the world’s end, all of which have ultimately proven to be unfounded, revealing a recurring pattern of human susceptibility to apocalyptic delusions.

The Seeds of Fanaticism: From Strasbourg Prison to Amsterdam Uprisings

Despite his incarceration—a confinement that would last a decade, during which he was heard softly chanting Psalms and condemning the “godless scribes of Strasbourg”—Hofmann’s influence persisted. His prophecies, though unfulfilled in the precise manner he foretold, ignited a potent fire among his followers.

One such follower was Jan Matthys, a baker from Amsterdam, who declared himself the prophet Enoch. To the joy of the faithful, Matthys resurrected the practice of adult baptism, a cornerstone of Anabaptist belief. His leadership quickly escalated the movement’s fervent hopes into desperate actions.

The Tumult in Amsterdam: A City Gripped by Millennial Fever

The radicalization intensified. In March 1534, an estimated 3,000 Amsterdam Anabaptists attempted to reach Münster, then a stronghold for radical Anabaptist ideas. Their journey was thwarted by Habsburg troops, whose response, though described as mild for the era, resulted in the execution of about 100 “heretics,” while the rest were released, dismissed as “innocent dupes.”

Undeterred, the fervor within Amsterdam grew. The very next day, several self-proclaimed apostles brandished swords and paraded through the city’s streets, warning of an impending judgment day just before Easter. They were swiftly apprehended and killed, a testament to the authorities’ growing concern and willingness to suppress the burgeoning unrest.

A more bizarre and desperate act occurred on a frigid February night in 1535. A group of Anabaptists ran naked through Amsterdam, shouting “Woe to the godless!” Public nakedness, to the faithful, symbolized innocence before God—a practice common in Münster. However, in Amsterdam, the men who refused to clothe themselves were executed, and the women who similarly defied orders were drowned, highlighting the stark brutality of the era’s religious conflicts.

Wider Repercussions and Ruthless Repression

Insurrections spread to numerous other Dutch cities, leading to a wave of executions by mid-1535. The Anabaptist movement had swelled dramatically; as many as 20% of Amsterdam’s population may have undergone adult baptism. Many of these “anointed” were outsiders, refugees fleeing spiraling repression and resistance, which included several large-scale, pitched battles across the region.

The climax of this period of unrest in Amsterdam came on May 11, when armed Anabaptists occupied the city’s main market, crying out, “Whoever loves God, join us!” Before they could gain significant traction, they were arrested. Three days later, the authorities brutally extracted the hearts of 11 ringleaders. That summer, the repression reached a chilling peak: an Anabaptist leader had his tongue cut out for preaching, his right hand severed for baptizing, and finally, his head removed. These acts served as grim warnings against dissent.

Hofmann’s Legacy: A Prophet’s Delusion

Melchior Hofmann died in prison, a man who, until his last breath, believed himself to be a true prophet of God. Yet, his most specific and famous prediction had demonstrably failed. His story stands as a poignant reminder of the power of conviction, the susceptibility of crowds to charismatic leaders, and the tragic consequences when such fervent beliefs clash with reality and authority. Hofmann’s “delusion of grandeur” became but one link in a long chain of similar historical episodes, illustrating a perennial human struggle between faith, reason, and the often-perilous journey of communal belief.