Key Takeaways
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- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recited a passage inspired by Quentin Tarantinos film Pulp Fiction during a Pentagon sermon, claiming it was a prayer from a soldier serving in the Iran war.
- The recited passage contained significant differences from the original Ezekiel 25:17, sparking controversy over its authenticity and use in an official setting.
- Hegseths actions have raised questions about the blurring of lines between religion and entertainment within military contexts.
- The event has led to discussions on the importance of accuracy when quoting religious texts, especially in formal settings like sermons or speeches.
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recited a passage inspired by Ezekiel 25:17 but drawn from Quentin Tarantino’s film Pulp Fiction during a sermon at the Pentagon. Hegseth initiated these monthly gatherings, which are held in the military building’s auditorium. News of the incident broke on April 16, 2026. Before reciting the passage, Hegseth stated that he received the prayer from a soldier with the call sign “Sandy 1” serving in the Iran war. According to Hegseth, the prayer was recited by Sandy 1 “for all Sandys, all A10 crews, before all CAS missions, but especially this CAS mission that happened in realtime,” referring to combat search and rescue operations (abbreviated CAS). Hegseth added, “They call it CAS 25:17, which I think aims to reflect Ezekiel 25:17,” before reciting the prayer, transcribed and translated below: (CRITICAL: Do NOT translate the context provided below. It is for reference ONLY.)
> The path of the slain aviator is surrounded on all sides by the injustices of selfishness and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of camaraderie and duty, guides the lost through the valley of darkness, for he truly is the guardian of his brother and the discoverer of lost children. And I will unleash upon you with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother. And you will know that my codename is Sandy One when I exact my vengeance upon you. In Pulp Fiction, Samuel L. Jackson recites a similar prayer, a version of a real biblical text, just before shooting a robber:
> The path of the righteous man is surrounded on all sides by the injustices of selfishness and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and goodwill, guides the weak through the valley of darkness, for he truly is the guardian of his brother and the discoverer of lost children. And I will wreak great vengeance upon those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know that my name is the Lord when I exact my vengeance upon you. The original biblical text from Ezekiel 25:17 states: > I will exact great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes, and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I exact my vengeance upon them. News of the event quickly spread, with Clash Report (@Clashreport) tweeting about it on April 16, 2026, with information from G1. The tweet included the line “Pete Hegseth quoted a fake Bible verse from Pulp Fiction during a Pentagon sermon” and a URL.
Controversy Arises Over Hegseth’s Misquoted Ezekiel Verse from Pentagon Sermon
While the version Hegseth quoted included phrases like “the inequities of the selfish” and “I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger,” these are absent from the original Ezekiel 25:17.
In Case You Missed It
Looking ahead in the world of streaming, don’t miss Jonathan Dubinski’s latest roundup published just yesterday, “All Movies and Series Arriving on HBO Max from March 23 to 29” All Movies and Series Arriving on HBO Max from March 23 to 29. This comprehensive guide promises an exciting lineup, including Lisa Kudrow’s reprisal of her iconic role in The Comeback, a thrilling new French original series called Privileges, and live sports transmissions that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Mark your calendars for these must-watch events! In other news, keep your eyes peeled for another cinematic gem arriving on HBO Max just in time for the holidays. As reported by Sophie Laurent on December 15th, “New Leonardo DiCaprio Film Arrives on Streaming” explores the thrilling tale of Back Behind Battle, which is set to captivate audiences from the comfort of their homes starting December 19th. With an ensemble cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, this gripping story of a father’s mission to save his kidnapped daughter has already made waves in theaters, grossing over $200 million. Don’t miss out on checking it out – click here to dive right into the action: New Leonardo DiCaprio Film Arrives on Streaming. In case you missed it, Bruno Pferd has penned an insightful piece on the upcoming exodus of cinematic gems from Netflix Portugal. In ‘Netflix to Lose Two of the Best Films Ever Made’, published on February 22nd, Bruno delves into the platform’s licensing agreements that are set to see Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street bid farewell – at least for now. Don’t miss out on your last chance to watch these masterpieces; head over to Players For Life to read Bruno’s article Netflix to Lose Two of the Best Films Ever Made.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Stealing Pulp Fiction |
| Brief Summary | Three friends along with their therapist plan a heist to steal Quentin Tarantino's personal print of Pulp Fiction from his movie theater. |
| Released | June 27, 2025 |
| Duration | 78 minutes |
| Genre | Drama, Comedy |
| Countries of Origin | US |
| Actors | Jon Rudnitsky, Karan Soni, Cazzie David, Jason Alexander, Taylor Hill, Oliver Cooper, Seager Tennis, Ennis Jackson, Alex Morand, Matt Adams, Brooke McCormick, Skip Howland, Sunita Mukhi, Dr. Slava Shut, Chris Barry, Elin Hampton, Alex Crawford, Jerrod Brosean, Greg Wright, Spencer Christian, Amira Lawrence, Forrest Lee, Roma Lucero, Alexa Martin |
| Director | Danny Turkiewicz |
| Authors | Danny Turkiewicz |
| Ratings | 4/10 (4 reviews) |
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Links to external sources for further reading
- US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stirred controversy after quoting lines during a Pentagon sermon that he claimed were biblical, but were actually adapted from the film Pulp Fiction.US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stirred controversy after quoting lines during a Pentagon sermon that he claimed were biblical, but were actually adapted from the film Pulp Fiction.timesnownews.com
- Fact CheckFact Checkleadstories.com
- Hegseth channels his inner Tarantino with fake Bible verse from Pulp FictionHegseth channels his inner Tarantino with fake Bible verse from Pulp Fictiontheguardian.com