Deuteronomy 13 Footnotes

13:15 To destroy a whole city because of the idolatry of a few may seem unfair and a miscarriage of justice. However, the modern dichotomy between the individual and his community was unknown in the world of ancient Israel. The sin of the few became the responsibility of all (Gn 18:22-33; Jos 7:10-26). Presumably the citizens of the city in question here had done nothing to expose or punish the sin of the idolatrous offenders.