Luther, having spent eight months in seclusion at the Wartburg castle, has translated the New Testament into German and written a number of pamphlets.

He returns in the first week of March 1522 to Wittenberg to restore order against enthusiastic iconoclasts who are destroying altars, images, and crucifixes.

From March 9–16 Luther delivers eight sermons in which he stresses some theological similarities with Karlstadt, but, in hindsight, urges caution.

This is a major turning point between Karlstadt and Luther.

Karlstadt reassertssome of his moderately mystical leanings, continues wearing peasants' clothing, asks to be called "Brother Andreas," and becomes disillusioned with academic life, renouncing his three doctoral degrees.

With Philipp Melanchthon and others, Luther organizes the Evangelical churches in the German territories whose princes support him.

He abolishes many traditional practices, including confession and private mass.

Priests marry; convents and monasteries are abandoned.

Luther loses some popular support, however, when he urges suppression of the Knights’ Revolt of 1522.