However, as the peasant revolts became more violent and widespread, Luther's attitude changed dramatically. He strongly condemned the peasants' actions, calling them "murderous and robbing mobs" and urging the nobles to suppress the revolts with force. In his pamphlet "Against the Murderous and Robbing Hordes of Peasants" (1525), Luther wrote: "Therefore let everyone who can, smite, slay, and stab, secretly or openly, remembering that there is nothing more poisonous, harmful, or devilish than a rebellious man."
Luther's change in态度 can be attributed to several factors. First, he was concerned that the revolts would damage the cause of the Protestant Reformation, which was already facing significant challenges from the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Emperor. Second, he believed that the peasants' demands for social and economic reforms were unrealistic and could only lead to further chaos and bloodshed. Third, Luther's own views on social order were influenced by the traditional social hierarchy of his time, which emphasized the authority of rulers and the obedience of subjects.
Despite Luther's condemnation of the peasant revolts, some radical reformers, such as Thomas Müntzer, continued to support the peasants and their cause. Müntzer argued that the peasants had a right to resist oppressive rulers and to establish a more just and equitable social order. However, the peasant revolts were eventually defeated, and the nobility reasserted their control over the peasantry.