Many peasants were drawn to Luther's teachings because they offered the hope of social and economic liberation. Luther's emphasis on the priesthood of all believers challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, which had long been used to justify the oppression of the peasantry. Luther's call for a return to the simplicity of the early church also resonated with many peasants, who felt that the church had become too wealthy and corrupt.
However, Luther's movement also created a great deal of anxiety among the peasantry. Luther's attacks on the Catholic Church threatened to disrupt the social order, and many peasants feared that they would be caught in the crossfire. Ultimately, the majority of peasants did not join Luther's movement, and some even actively opposed it.
Lords
German lords reacted to Luther's movement with a mixture of caution and curiosity. Some lords were attracted to Luther's teachings because they saw them as a way to weaken the power of the Catholic Church and increase their own authority. Others were suspicious of Luther's movement, fearing that it could lead to social unrest. Still others were genuinely interested in Luther's theological ideas and embraced his teachings for religious reasons.
In general, the German lords were more supportive of Luther's movement than the peasants. However, there were still a number of lords who opposed Luther, and some even took up arms against him. Nevertheless, Luther's movement eventually gained the support of a majority of the German lords, who helped to ensure its success.