The Path Of The Righteous Man: Decoding Samuel L. Jackson's Iconic Ezekiel Speech 30 Years Later

As of December 2025, the "Ezekiel speech" delivered by Samuel L. Jackson in Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece *Pulp Fiction* remains one of the most iconic and frequently quoted monologues in cinematic history. More than three decades after the film's release, the chilling delivery of the supposed scripture, Ezekiel 25:17, by Jackson’s character, Jules Winnfield, continues to be dissected by film critics, theologians, and fans alike, not just for its dramatic power but for the subtle, profound theological and philosophical questions it raises. This deep dive explores the speech’s origin, its powerful misquotation, and the enduring legacy of the performance that cemented Jackson as a cultural icon. The speech is far more than a cool moment of cinematic violence; it is a pivotal narrative device that defines Jules's internal conflict—a hitman struggling to reconcile his brutal profession with a sudden, spiritual awakening. The monologue serves as the emotional and thematic core of the film's exploration of vengeance, redemption, and the nature of grace, making it a timeless piece of writing and performance.

Samuel L. Jackson: A Biographical Profile

Samuel Leroy Jackson is an American actor and producer, widely recognized as one of the most prolific and commercially successful actors of his generation. His work has spanned decades, collaborating frequently with directors like Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino.

• Full Name: Samuel Leroy Jackson
• Date of Birth: December 21, 1948
• Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Spouse: LaTanya Richardson Jackson (m. 1980)
• Education: Morehouse College (B.A. in Drama, 1972)
• Breakout Role: Gator Purify in *Jungle Fever* (1991)
• Iconic Roles: Jules Winnfield (*Pulp Fiction*), Nick Fury (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Mace Windu (*Star Wars* Prequel Trilogy), Ordell Robbie (*Jackie Brown*), and Shaft.
• Awards & Recognition: Academy Award (Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement), BAFTA Award, Silver Bear for Best Actor.
• Box Office Record: His films have grossed more money at the box office than those of any other actor, cementing his status as a global superstar.

The Anatomy of the Ezekiel 25:17 Monologue

The speech is delivered by Jules Winnfield, a hitman working for crime boss Marsellus Wallace, just before he and his partner Vincent Vega execute a group of young men who double-crossed their employer. The scene is a masterclass in tension, with Jules dramatically reciting the passage before brutally finishing his task.

The Actual Words of Jules Winnfield

The monologue, which Jules claims is a passage he memorizes and recites before every execution, begins with the famous lines:

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"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 would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

The Truth Behind the Misquote

One of the most fascinating aspects of the speech is that it is not a direct quote from the Bible. Quentin Tarantino, the film's writer and director, crafted a powerful, quasi-Biblical passage by combining and altering several sources.

• The Real Ezekiel 25:17: The actual Bible verse is much shorter and focuses on God's vengeance against the Philistines. The King James Version 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."
• Tarantino's Inspiration: The majority of Jules's monologue, particularly the parts about "the path of the righteous man" and "shepherds the weak," is believed to have been lifted or adapted from the opening scrawl of the 1970s martial arts film *Karate Kiba* (also known as *The Bodyguard*), starring Sonny Chiba.
• Thematic Significance: By creating a sermon-like passage, Tarantino elevates Jules's actions from a simple, cold-blooded murder to a theatrical, almost ritualistic act of divine retribution. The misquote itself is a brilliant meta-commentary, suggesting that Jules is not a man of God, but a man who uses the language of God to justify his violence.

The Enduring Cultural Impact and Legacy

The "Ezekiel speech" is not just a memorable movie moment; it is a cultural phenomenon that profoundly influenced cinematic dialogue and the career trajectory of Samuel L. Jackson. The 30th anniversary of *Pulp Fiction* has brought a renewed focus on its lasting power.

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The Birth of a Star

Jackson's performance as Jules Winnfield earned him his first and only Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and instantly elevated him to an A-list star. His fiery, mesmerizing delivery of the monologue is often cited as the singular moment that defined his on-screen persona—cool, intense, and capable of explosive, righteous anger. Even decades later, Jackson is often asked to recite the passage, which he has done on numerous occasions, proving he still knows the iconic lines word-for-word.

A Spiritual Turning Point

The speech is structurally used twice in the film, but the second time—after Jules miraculously survives a hail of bullets—is where the monologue's true meaning is revealed. Jules realizes that his survival was "divine intervention" and that his role as the "righteous man" was a lie. He was simply the "tyranny of evil men." This realization is the catalyst for his decision to quit the hitman life and "walk the earth," seeking to become the "shepherd" instead of the "vengeful god."

• Vengeance vs. Redemption: The core conflict is Jules's shift from using the verse to justify his role as an avenging angel to recognizing that he has been the evil he was quoting against.
• Theological Debate: The scene sparks genuine discussion about the nature of grace and redemption. The brilliance of Tarantino's writing is using a misquote to explore a profound, genuine spiritual crisis.
• Linguistic Authority: The speech’s cadence, rhythm, and use of elevated, almost archaic language (LSI keywords such as *inequities*, *tyranny*, *shepherds*, *vengeance*, and *furious anger*) give it an undeniable sense of authority that transcends its fictional origin.

The Ezekiel speech is a perfect storm of writing, direction, and performance. It is a fake biblical passage used by a hitman to justify murder, which ultimately leads to his spiritual salvation. Its continued relevance today is a testament to Samuel L. Jackson's unforgettable delivery and Quentin Tarantino's genius for crafting dialogue that is both instantly quotable and deeply thematic.

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