From The Sadness of Christ:
Here if any man will perhaps say, that one may lawfully even with the sword save an innocent
and good man from the violent hands of mischievous raging ruffians, the discussing of that matter would
require a longer process than were convenient for this place. But certainly, though Peter’s tender loving
affection towards Christ caused his offence to be somewhat the more excusable, yet that he had no
lawful authority to fight for him sufficiently appeareth by that Christ had before time so precisely
warned him, that he should in no wise go about to hinder his death and passion, not so much as with one
word, and less than with any kind of violence.
As always, Saint Thomas is a man of the law.
