IN his response to John Hinton, Matthew A Clarke referred us to Luke 22 v 36 as proof that Jesus was not a pacifist and he then presumed that, as Christians, we can wage war or carry out capital punishment on our enemies (You Say, May 12).

I think he has put two and two together and came up with the wrong conclusion.

The verse to which Mr Clarke referred merely sanctions self-defence. It does not permit or condone pre-emptive or retaliatory action, and certainly not taking the life of another human, like his letter suggests.

If Mr Clarke is genuine in his Bible study, he should perhaps read it in the context of verses Matt 26 v 52, Luke2 2 v 51 and John 18 v 11.

L SPITERI, Worcester.