Secretary of War Pete Hegseth led a Pentagon prayer service Wednesday using an adapted version of a fictitious Bible verse made famous by Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” — complete with Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic “great vengeance and furious anger” speech.
Hegseth told the assembled crowd that the prayer was recited before the daring “Sandy 1” rescue of a downed pilot in Iran, and asked them to join him in the invocation.
“This prayer was recited by Sandy 1, which is one of the Sandies, to all Sandies, all those A-10 crews, prior to all CSAR missions, but especially this CSAR mission, which happened in real time,” Hegseth said.
He added: “They call it CSAR 25:17, which I think is meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17” — acknowledging the famous scene from the Oscar-winning 1994 film.
The Prayer: CSAR 25:17
Hegseth recited the following adaptation:
“The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of camaraderie and duty shepherds the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children.”
“And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother, and you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee. Amen.”
Though not identical to the recitation in “Pulp Fiction,” it has enough verses in common that it’s unmistakably derived from the movie.
The Real Ezekiel 25:17 vs. ‘Pulp Fiction’
The real scripture from the King James Bible reads:
“And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.”
That’s it. Just one sentence.
Tarantino famously padded the verse for dramatic effect in “Pulp Fiction,” creating a much longer, more theatrical version:
| Version | Text |
|---|---|
| Real Ezekiel 25:17 (KJV) | “And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.” |
| ‘Pulp Fiction’ (Jules Winnfield) | “The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon thee.” |
| Hegseth’s ‘CSAR 25:17’ | Adapted version replacing “righteous man” with “downed aviator,” “charity and good will” with “camaraderie and duty,” and “my name is the Lord” with “my call sign is Sandy 1.” |
Samuel L. Jackson received an Oscar nomination for his role as Jules Winnfield in the seminal 1994 film.
Tarantino’s Borrowing
Tarantino, well known for borrowing from other filmmakers, himself cribbed the verse from the 1976 martial arts movie “Bodyguard Kiba,” starring legendary Japanese actor Sonny Chiba — who eventually appeared in Tarantino’s 2003 film “Kill Bill: Volume 1.”
So the “Ezekiel 25:17” speech has roots in:
- The actual Bible (one sentence)
- A 1976 Japanese martial arts film
- Quentin Tarantino’s imagination
- And now, a Pentagon prayer service
The Sandy 1 Mission
Hegseth’s reference to “Sandy 1” and “CSAR” (Combat Search and Rescue) missions relates to real Air Force operations. The “Sandy” call sign has historically been used by A-10 Thunderbolt II crews tasked with providing close air support for downed pilot rescues.
The Sandy 1 mission Hegseth referenced — the rescue of a downed pilot in Iran — appears to be a real operation, though specific details have not been publicly released by the Pentagon.
Reaction: Pulp Fiction at the Pentagon?
Social media reaction to Hegseth’s prayer has been swift and divided:
Supporters said:
“That’s awesome. Real warriors quoting ‘Pulp Fiction’ before missions. This is the energy we need.” — @veteranpatriot
“The adaptation for downed aviators is actually pretty creative. He’s connecting with the troops.” — @airforcefamily
Critics responded:
“The Secretary of War just quoted a fictional movie Bible verse at an official Pentagon prayer service. This is surreal.” — @faithandfreedom
“I’m sorry, but leading a prayer based on a Tarantino movie is not normal. Not even close.” — @politicalobserver
Some religious commentators noted that using a fictionalized Bible verse — especially one associated with a violent movie scene — might be inappropriate for an official Pentagon religious service.
Hegseth’s Background
Pete Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer and Fox News host, was confirmed as Secretary of War in 2025. He has a history of unconventional public statements and a strong evangelical Christian identity.
The “Pulp Fiction” prayer is not the first time Hegseth has blended pop culture with military or religious themes. He has previously quoted movies and songs in speeches and social media posts.
What Happens Next
- No official backlash: The Pentagon has not commented on the prayer or its origins
- Continued operations: Sandy 1 and other CSAR missions continue in the Iran theater
- Cultural moment: The incident has become a viral talking point, blending faith, film, and military policy
FAQ: Hegseth’s ‘Pulp Fiction’ Prayer
Q: What did Pete Hegseth do?
A: He led a Pentagon prayer service using an adapted version of the fake Bible verse from “Pulp Fiction,” replacing references to “the righteous man” with “the downed aviator.”
Q: Is Ezekiel 25:17 actually in the Bible?
A: Yes, but the real verse is one sentence long. The famous “vengeance” speech was invented by Quentin Tarantino.
Q: Was this an official Pentagon event?
A: Yes. Hegseth led the prayer service at the Pentagon as Secretary of War.
Q: Did he know it was from a movie?
A: Yes. He explicitly referenced “Pulp Fiction” and said the prayer was meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17.
Q: What is Sandy 1?
A: The call sign for an A-10 Thunderbolt II crew involved in a combat search and rescue mission for a downed pilot in Iran.
Q: Is there any religious controversy?
A: Some religious commentators have questioned using a fictionalized, movie-based Bible verse in an official Pentagon prayer service.