Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 7:12

"Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her." — Luke 7:12 (ASV)

The gate of the city. Cities were surrounded by walls to defend them from their enemies. They were entered through gates placed at convenient distances from each other. In most cities, it was not allowed to bury the dead within the walls; therefore, they were carried to some convenient burial place in the vicinity of the city.

A dead man carried out. A funeral procession. Anciently, no Jews were buried within the walls of the city, except for the kings and distinguished persons, 1 Samuel 28:3; 2 Kings 21:18.

The custom of burying within cities, and especially within the walls of churches or in their vicinity, originated among Christians very early; yet perhaps few customs are more harmful to health than burials within large cities, especially within the walls of frequented buildings.

The harmful vapors from dead bodies are excessively unhealthy.

Burial places should be in secluded locations, far from the activity of the lively and busy world, where all feelings may be still and calm, and where there can be no injury to health from the decaying bodies of the dead.