Albert Barnes Commentary Ezekiel 44:1

"Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, which looketh toward the east; and it was shut." — Ezekiel 44:1 (ASV)

Outward sanctuary - The court of the priests, as distinguished from the temple itself. This gate was reserved for the prince, to whom it was opened on certain days. Only a prince of the house of David might sit down in the priests’ court .