John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 4:13

"And if the whole congregation of Israel err, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, and are guilty;" — Leviticus 4:13 (ASV)

And if the whole congregation. The very same sacrifice which was prescribed for the priest is required of the people, since he who went into the sanctuary in the name of all to present all the tribes before God represented the whole body.

It seems indeed that the kind of ignorance spoken of here is different from the former kind, since it was said, if the thing be hid; yet I think that these weaknesses are included, in which it often happens that people are blinded for a time.²⁶¹ For many do not examine themselves and therefore slumber in their sins; whereas if they honestly examined their actions, their conscience would immediately convict them. It might, then, happen that the whole people should fail to be aware of their sin, while dealing with themselves too gently and indulgently.

The meaning therefore is, that although no sense of sin should at first arouse them to repentance, yet, if afterwards they should be awakened so as to begin to acknowledge their crime, God must be propitiated by sacrifices; for otherwise the people might use their error as an excuse.

²⁶¹ “D’estre comme estourdis pour un temps, et n’y voir goutte;” are, as it were, stupified for a time, and cannot see a wink. — ;” are, as it were, stupified for a time, and cannot see a wink. — Fr..