Luke 7:12 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

There was a dead man carried out,— It was customary for the Jews to bury out of the city, as appears from Matthew 27:60. This custom was likewise observed by other nations. The Jews might have introduced it to prevent their being polluted by touching the biers or dead bodies of their countrymen; but both they and the heathens might have had a further reason for this institution, namely, the preservation of their health; it being notorious that the effluvia which proceed from dead bodies are very pernicious, and often cause pestilential disorders. Hence it has been matter of wonder, why modern Christians should not only have their burial-grounds contiguous to their churches, but even bury in their churches; a custom most certainly prejudicial to health, and introduced, as is most likely, by superstition and pride. But see this subject completely handled in a judicious pamphlet, intitled, "Seasonable Considerations on the indecent and dangerous Custom of burying in ChurchesandChurchyards." Some particular circumstances of distress are mentioned in the case before us: the young man to be buried, was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and consequently had no prospect of more children: hence the sympathy which she received from her relations and acquaintance was singular. A crowd of people muchgreater than was usual on such occasions, in testimony of their concern for her, attended her; while she performed the last duty to her beloved son. This circumstance the evangelist takes notice of to shew, that though there had been no persons presentat the miracle but those who attended the funeral, it was illustrious on account of the number of the witnesses.