Joos van Beke, an Anabaptist martyr, was burned at the stake at Antwerp, Belgium on 19 March 1569, together with Hans Vermandele, Jan Poote, and Jan Semou. Joos was unmarried, 32 years of age, and a native of Denterghem in Flanders. He was a belt maker, and had lived at Antwerp since 1563, the last two years in the house of Jan Poote. Twice he was tortured. He had been baptized at Antwerp by Joos de Cruysere. He said that infant baptism was idolatry.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 119. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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