Leviticus 5 · a question people ask
How can someone be guilty of something he didn't know he did?
The chapter says it plainly: "though he didn’t know it, he is still guilty, and shall bear his iniquity" (5:17). It gives the way back in the next verse: a ram, atonement "concerning the thing in which he sinned and didn’t know it, and he will be forgiven" (5:18). A psalm prays, "Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors" (Psalm 19:12). Jesus spoke of two servants: the one "who knew his lord’s will" and didn't do it "will be beaten with many stripes" (Luke 12:47), "but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes" (Luke 12:48). In his words, not knowing makes the penalty fewer stripes, not none.
The verses
““If anyone sins, doing any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, though he didn’t know it, he is still guilty, and shall bear his iniquity. He shall bring a ram without defect from of the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the thing in which he sinned and didn’t know it, and he will be forgiven.”
“Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.”
“That servant who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.”