SNL Sketch Idea Anticipates Pentagon Prayer

Colin Jost told *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon* that SNL writers drafted a cold-open sketch where Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth would quote the Ezekiel 25:17 speech from *Pulp Fiction*. Discussed two months before the episode, the team rejected it as “too ridiculous” and feared it would dominate the opening.

The Wrap

In an April Pentagon worship service, Hegseth delivered a prayer he called “CSAR 25:17”. The wording—“The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil man…”—mirrors Ezekiel 25:17 monologue spoken by Samuel L. Jackson’s Jules Winnfield in *Pulp Fiction*.

The Independent

Jost said the writers called the idea “too ridiculous” before Hegseth’s real-world prayer occurred two weeks later. Jimmy Fallon replied, “Yeah, Samuel L. Jackson, 12:17.” Hegseth’s remarks during the service stressed camaraderie, duty and protection of downed aviators, framing the prayer as a morale-building message.

The Independent

The April service, service members and Pentagon staff, featured Hegseth’s prayer urging to “shepherd the lost through the valley of darkness” and honor the “brother’s keeper” ethos. Reporters called it a rare instance of a defense official using cinematic language in a religious setting.

The Independent

Sources note a discrepancy between the biblical Ezekiel 25:17—“And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord…”—and Hegseth’s quoted passage, which follows the *Pulp Fiction* version. No clarification has been given on whether the prayer was a film reference or a scriptural citation.

The Independent

• “We were pitching ideas for one of the cold opens, like, two months ago. And I was like, Would it be funny if Hegseth just did that Bible verse that they have in ‘Pulp Fiction?’” — Colin Jost, SNL co-anchor

The Wrap

• “And then he for real did it. Like two weeks later!” — Colin Jost, SNL co-anchor

The Wrap

• “The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil man. 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,” — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense (Pentagon service)

The Independent

• “The path of 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 you.” — Jules Winnfield, *Pulp Fiction*

The Independent