Jesus heals many people.
For parallel to v.14-16 see Mk 1:29-34 and Lk 4:38-41.
v.14-15 Jesus entered Simon and Andrews house and found Simon’s mother-in-law sick with a fever. He healed her immediately and completely with the touch of his hand; she got up and began serving him.
v.16 Jesus healed many people who were sick or oppressed by demons. They came to him in the evening since it was the sabbath (Mk 1:21) and normal activity could continue.
v.17 Citing Is 53:4, Matthew says this fulfilled prophecy about the Messiah. “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” This looks forward to the consummation of the kingdom when sickness and death will be banished.
The cost of discipleship.
v.18 Jesus, surrounded by a large crowd, calls on the disciples to cross to the other side (of the sea). In view of v.19-22 below, many interpreters view this call as a call to discipleship.
For parallel to v.19-22 see Lk 9:57-60.
v.19-20 One follower tells Jesus that he will follow wherever he goes. Jesus reply is that he has no place to lay his head. This was to remind the man of the cost of discipleship. True disciples have no place in this world and must be ready for hardship.
v.21-22 Another follower asks Jesus to let him bury his father first. Jesus replied that the man should follow him and let the dead bury their own dead. The priorities of this life must give way to the priorities of discipleship (see Lk 14:25-33).
How do you feel about verse 22? Is Jesus suggesting that we shouldn't have funerals?
I don't think so. Perhaps he discerned in the particular man who wanted to "first go and bury [his] father" a tendency to make excuses. Perhaps this was a specific case in which there was an immediacy required that is not necessary in all cases.
It troubles me. The man's father had died and Jesus offered no consolation. I trust Jesus. I know he loves us. But, why did he say what he said to the man who wanted to be his disciple?
Your running down the court, there is five seconds left on the clock. You're open for the three pointer… You call timeout. The coach says what were you thinking. "I need to go bury my father, then I'll take the shot." I think your basketball playing days would be over. The call to follow Jesus is also that urgent.
I totally agree … but do we practice our faith in that way? And did Jesus really, in daily practice, lead his followers to neglect family concerns? I don't think so. It's fine to say, "following Jesus is an urgent call." But how do we put that into practice? How do practically apply the teaching? How do we move from metaphor to real life application? Am I going to neglect my Father's funeral (whenever that will be) for the sake of following Jesus? Does Jesus want me to? I think this passage is open-ended and troubling.
I think the application is to make your call to follow Jesus the priority over anything else. That includes even things sanctioned by the religious establishment. Based on the 5th commandment the Jews placed a high priority on burying your parents. Don't neglect doing that, but don't make it an excuse for not following the Lord when he calls you to go.