Special sets in a BL-algebra are introduced, and an example in which a special set is not a deductive system is given. Conditions for these special sets to be a deductive system are stated. Using this special set, an equivalent condition of a deductive system is established. We prove that a deductive system can be represented by the union of such special sets. The notion of commutative BL-algebras is also introduced, and its characterizations are given. The notion of sensitive deductive systems is introduced, and some conditions for a deductive system to be a sensitive deductive system are given.