John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 9:22

"And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission." — Hebrews 9:22 (ASV)

And almost all things, etc. By saying almost, he seems to imply that some things were purified in other ways. And undoubtedly, they often washed themselves and other unclean things with water. But even water itself derived its power to cleanse from the sacrifices, so that the Apostle ultimately truly declares that without blood there was no remission.

Then uncleanness was imputed until it was expiated by a sacrifice. And as without Christ there is no purity or salvation, so nothing without blood can be either pure or saving, for Christ is never to be separated from the sacrifice of His death. But the Apostle meant only to say that this symbol was almost always used.

But if at any time the purgation was not made in this way, it was nevertheless through blood, since all the rites derived their efficacy, in a way, from the general expiation. For the people were not each of them sprinkled (for how could so small a portion of blood be sufficient for so large a multitude?), yet the purgation extended to all.

Hence, the particle almost signifies the same as if he had said that the use of this rite was so common that they seldom omitted it in purgations. For what Chrysostom says—that unfitness is thus denoted because these were only figures under the Law—is inconsistent with the Apostle’s design.

No remission, etc. Thus, people are prevented from appearing before God; for as He is justly displeased with them all, there is no basis for them to expect any favor until He is pacified. But there is only one way of pacification, and that is by an expiation made by blood; therefore, no pardon of sins can be hoped for unless we bring blood, and this is done when we flee by faith to the death of Christ.