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It sounds plausible that he may have been referring to the Roman Catholics, but when you read his writings, it is quite doubtful. Even so, if he did write these things to save his own skin, it was still abominable, as he no doubt fed and incited hatred for the Jews among his countrymen.

The Jews and Their Lies, Martin Luther

It pains me to think of it. The man who wrote such stirring words of grace and hope also penned such poison. He also wrote, I more fear what is within me than what comes from without. It's a good philosopy, as sadly, his is not the only sin committed in the name of Christ. It seems we often sin out of frustration with the Lord's plan and timing. Only disaster comes from trying to force God's Hand.

I just suggested you make sure you made the appropriate distinction. You don't have to, of course, but it helps to understand the tenor of the times. Many Protestant and Reform leaders on the Continent were subject to severe punishment by local nobles should they be too critical of folks in the Roman Catholic hierarchy (who were, for the most part, close relatives of those same nobles).

Most of the folks who seemed to be the most critical of Jews probably had never met a Jew, nor even knew someone who did.

The greater part of the Jewish population in Europe during the period leading up to the Religious Wars (in the 1500s) and the Thirty-Years War (in the 1600s) were expelees from Catholic Spain.

We are not, at that period in history, speaking of millions of people ~ just a few tens of thousands spread over half a dozen countries. More ancient Jewish communities (dating from Roman times) had been destroyed in earlier upheavals.

An interesting film to watch concerning the risks taken by Protestants in this period is "Retour de Martin Guerre" ~ in this movie they hanged a fellow for "violating the marital bed". It's noted at the end, that the priest who sponsored/officiated/blessed that particular hanging was, himself, later on hanged for espousing Protestantism.

It was quite common in the late middle ages to execute people for what we take to be common civil offenses, or for any belief the local nobles might think offensive.

This sort of thing continued in France up to the French Revolution. One of the "causes" in that event were the plethora of "courts" ~ in some jurisdictions a non-noble might well face over 100 different "courts" with authority to put him to trial ~ rather like Iran under the Mullahs!

This is why it's very, very important to find out what context any of these old rants against Jews occurred. Was it really about Jews, or was it about the safety and security of the writer's neck with the word "Jew" serving as a codeword for "RC Priest"?