John the Baptist’s mission was now over. He had done exactly what he was called to do and soon he would die a martyr’s death. Jesus now moved into the territory which would be the main base for his preaching. Zebulun and Naphtali were sons of Jacob. The lands named after them would have been part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Matthew is using the old geographical names because he is drawing our attention to the prophesy of Isaiah, which becomes fulfilled in Jesus. Naphtali and Zebulun had become very much influenced by the gentile settlers, who moved into their lands when they were taken over by the Assyrians. That is why they were described as living in darkness. Jesus, however, brought light to those in darkness, for he came to call sinners to repentance (Matt. 9:13). The Jewish leaders, the Pharisees, would have had no time for such people.
Jesus began to choose his disciples, beginning with the fishermen. Their response was immediate: like Matthew, they left everything to follow the Lord. Their actions are reminiscent of Elisha, who at Elijah’s bidding slaughtered his oxen and cooked them in his plough (Kings 19:19-21). It would seem that some people have to shed their old life completely in order to take up new work.