John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 29:21

"that make a man an offender in [his] cause, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just with a thing of nought." — Isaiah 29:21 (ASV)

That make a man an offender for a word. We have previously stated who the persons were with whom the Prophet was dealing, namely, hypocrites and profane scorners, who despised all the reproofs and threats of the Prophets, and who wished to fashion a God according to their own imagination.

Such persons, desiring to have unbounded license, so that they might indulge freely in their pleasures and their crimes, endured very impatiently the keen reproofs of the prophets and did not calmly submit to being restrained. For this reason, they carefully observed and watched for their words, so that they might catch them unawares or twist their meaning.

I have no doubt that he reproves wicked men, who complained of the liberty used by the prophets and of the keenness of their reproofs, as if they had intended to attack the people, the nobles, and the priests; for from this arise the slanders and false accusations that are brought even against the faithful servants of God.

From this arise those deceptive and ensnaring questions that are spread out as snares and nets, so that they may either bring a righteous man into danger of his life or practice some kind of deceit upon him. We see that the Pharisees and Sadducees did so to Christ himself (Matthew 21:23; Matthew 22:17; John 8:6).

Who have laid a snare for him that reproveth in the gate. This latter clause, which is added for the sake of explanation, does not allow us to interpret the verse as referring generally to slanders and other schemes by which cunning men trap the unsuspecting; for the Prophet now condemns more openly those wicked contrivances by which ungodly men endeavor to escape all censure and reproof.

As it was in the gates that public assemblies and courts of justice were held, and great crowds assembled there, the prophets publicly reproved all and did not spare even the judges; for at that time the government was in the hands of men whom it was necessary to admonish and reprove sharply.

Instead of repenting, as they ought to have done when they were warned, they became worse and were enraged against the prophets, laying snares for them. For, as Amos says, they hated him that reproveth in the gate, and abhorred him that speaketh uprightly (Amos 5:10). This relates to all, but principally to judges and those who hold the reins of government, who are more offended and more deeply displeased to receive such reproofs. For they wish to be distinguished from other people and to be considered the most excellent of all, even if they are the most wicked.

Who have laid snares. Commentators differ as to the meaning of the word יקשון (yĕkōshūn); for some render it “have reproved,” and others “have reproached,” as if the Prophet censured the obstinacy of those who resort to slanders in order to drive reprovers far away from them. But I trust that my readers will approve of the meaning I have followed.

And have turned aside the righteous man for nothing, that is, when there is no cause. By wicked and deceitful contrivances, they endeavor to cause the righteous to be hated and abhorred by all people, and to be considered the most wicked of all; but, after having thus trifled with the world, they will eventually perish. Such is the consolation the Lord gives: that He will not allow the wickedness of the ungodly to pass unpunished, though they give way to mirth and wantonness for a time, but will eventually restrain them. Yet, we have need of patience, that we may wait for the fulfillment of these promises (Hebrews 10:36).