While Zwingli tried to have a worthwhile discussion, Luther, who made clear at the beginning that he would not change his views, did not appear to have an desire to a substantive debate. From almost the beginning of the debate, it was clear that no agreement would be reached.

The debate revolved around the exact nature of the presence of Christ during the Eucharist. While Zwingli willingly and eagerly participated, Luther did not wish to attend, and he only went after Melanchthon convinced him to. These people held discussions prior to the debates, which included numerous people, including Philip of Hesse, Duke Ulrich of Württemberg, numerous delegates from participating states, and about 60 guests. In addition, other important figures in the debates included Philipp Melanchthon, John Oecolampadius, and Martin Bucer. Luther and Zwingli were the leaders of their respective viewpoints. The colloquy took place from October 1–4, 1529. Because the theological disagreement over the Eucharist among Protestants, which had existed since 1524, was preventing such alliances, Philip called the colloquy in order to resolve the issue and clear the way for an alliance. Philip, the landgrave of Hesse, believed this to be a threat to survival of Protestantism and believed a Protestant political alliance was necessary to protect against any threats. In the second Diet of Speyer in April 1529, a Roman Catholic majority passed a resolution against the Reformation. Political impetus and initiation of colloquy Others, such as Ulrich Zwingli believed that communion is a memorial and a sign, and that Christ is spiritually-but not physically-present in the elements. Some Reformers, such as Martin Luther believed that Christ's body is present in and with the elements, but not physically. Despite this, however, they were not united on the issue. Due to the lack of a biblical basis for this doctrine, it was rejected by the Reformers. 1.2 Political impetus and initiation of colloquyīy the time of the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church adhered to the doctrine of transubstantiation, which teaches that the bread and wine of communion would literally become the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

The marburg colloquy of 1529