"I Rebuke You in the Name of Jesus" — Meaning Behind Sonya Massey's Final Words
Massey's father, James Wilburn, said his daughter's final words were a "premonition" of her being allegedly killed by police.
Published July 23 2024, 2:21 p.m. ET
Content Warning: This article mentions police brutality and racism.
The body cam footage from a Black woman, Sonya Massey, being shot by police in her home while responding to her 911 call shows her chilling yet powerful final words. Massey had called police to report a potential "prowler," per CNN, which resulted in two Sangamon County sheriff's deputies arriving at her home.
In the body cam footage, Massey can be heard conversing with one of the officers.
She then proceeds to enter her kitchen to turn off a pot of boiling water. After picking up the pot, one of the officers, Sean Grayson, steps back and responds with, "away from your hot steaming water." Massey then responds with, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." The officer, apparently uncertain as to what Massey had said, replies, "huh," to which she repeats the phrase. Shortly after, she was shot dead in her home. Now, many are wondering what the phrase means. Here's an explainer.
What does "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus" mean?
The phrase "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus" has been popular in the Christian community. By definition, "to rebuke" means "to express strong disapproval" of someone's choices or behavior. Some Christians use the phrase to rebuke Satan and what they may deem Satanic practices.
According to several religious leaders, including Verse by Verse Ministry, "rebuking the devil" isn't supported in Biblical passages.
Today, many people casually say "I rebuke [something] in the name of Jesus" to mean they strongly reject or oppose it, often invoking spiritual authority to ward off negativity or harm.
People also employ it in everyday situations to firmly dismiss or reject something undesirable, often without the solemnity or religious intent it once held.
Those following Sonya Massey's case believe her final words were intentional.
While many have said "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus" about Beyoncé concerts or other frivolous things, many feel Massey saying the phrase to Grayson and his partner was meant in the religious sense.
The body cam footage showed Massey saying "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus" to the officers after Grayson's partner stepped away from her. After hearing her words and noting that Massey was moving toward a pot of boiling water, Grayson replied, "You better f--king not, or I swear to God I’ll f--king shoot you in the f--king face."
Massey quickly said "I'm sorry" to Grayson before the deputies yelled at her to "drop the pot." Massey was then shot three times before calling for emergency services.
Massey's father, James Wilburn, told CBS News he believed his daughter had a "premonition" that she was in danger and called out to God in her final moments.
According to NBC Chicago, Grayson, 30, is now facing murder charges for the fatal shooting of Massey. An Illinois grand jury indicted the former officer a week before the body cam footage went viral.
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