Leviticus 16:21 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

All the iniquities He mentions iniquities, transgressions, and sins, to denote sins of all sorts, and that a free and full confession was to be made, and that the smallest sins needed, and the greatest sins were not excluded from, the benefit of Christ's death here represented. On the head Charging all their sins and the punishment due to them upon the goat, which, though only a ceremony, yet being done according to God's appointment, and manifestly pointing at Christ, upon whom their iniquities and punishments were laid, (Isaiah 53:5-6,) it was available for this end. And hence the heathens took their custom of selecting one beast or man, upon whom they laid all their imprecations and curses, and whom they killed as an expiatory sacrifice for their sins, and to prevent their ruin. A fit man Hebrew, a man of time, that is, of years and discretion, who might be trusted with this work. Into the wilderness Which signified the removal of their sins far away both from the people, and out of God's sight. And here the goat being neglected by all men, and exposed to many hazards from wild beasts, which were numerous there, might further signify Christ's being forsaken both by God and by men, even by his own disciples, and the many dangers and sufferings he underwent.