Gerrit Corneliss Boon (Anabaptist Martyr – Young boatman from Amsterdam - Died 1571)

Gerrit Corneliss Boon (Anabaptist Martyr – Young boatman from Amsterdam - Died 1571)

Gerrit Corneliss Boon was a young boatman in Amsterdam. When Gerrit was in his early teens during the early 1560s, he became interested in the Anabaptist movement. Responding to the preaching, he committed himself to be a disciple of Christ, and was baptized, becoming a member of the Anabaptist brotherhood. Gerrit was well acquainted with many of them, often conveying them by boat to their destination in and around the city. This fact made him a potential source of information for the bailiff.

One warm day in June 1571, Gerrit had just tied his boat at the dock, when he was accosted and accused of being an Anabaptist. To this he agreed without hesitancy and was summarily bound by the bailiff. For the next several weeks he was subjected to torture designed especially to gain information from him about other Anabaptists that he knew. As the officials tortured him, he freely confessed his faith in Christ. 

They tortured him fist by stripping him naked and lashing him with rods until he was nearly unconscious. Then he was treated with hot and cold water. When he revived enough to talk and would not answer their questions, they blindfolded him, tied his hands together behind him and hung him up by his hands. They would let him hang for a period, then would return and let him down only to interrogate him again. But in spite of all the torture he would not betray his fellow Christians.

Another beating on his naked body failed to break his resistance, so he was then put on the rack. He was spread-eagled and tied securely on the arrangement of bars, and then by the slow turning of the wheel the bars were stretched until it seemed his body would break. At the same time they added such indignities as pouring urine in his mouth, nearly chocking him. As he still would not betray his brethren, they used lighted candles to burn under his arms.

A few days later Gerrit was brought before the city council for sentencing. Here the officials first mocked him by putting a wreath of flowers on his head and doing homage. Gerrit responded that flowers were easier to wear than the crown of thorns his Master had worn. After they had satisfied themselves in mocking him, they sentenced him to death by burning. The soldiers took Gerrit from his knees and placed him at the stake. When the rope was placed around his neck he cried, “O heavenly Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Then he was strangled and his body burned

 – Myron S. Augsburger (Mennonite Spokesman and Writer)