The way in which Simon Peter is introduced suggests that he was well known to John’s readers.

The Greek text contains an expression in verse 40 which identifies Andrew as “one of the two who had heard about Jesus from John and who had accompanied Jesus.” Since the reference is clear, it is enough to say “one of them was Andrew” or perhaps “one of John’s two disciples was Andrew.”

Some languages doe not use a term for “brother” without indicating whether the person named is a younger or an older brother. Although Greek and Hebrew do not make such a distinction, Hebrew and Semitic Greek tend to name the older brother first. However, the fact that Simon Peter’s name precedes that of his brother in the synoptic accounts of their vocation (Mark 1.16 and parallels) and in the lists of the Twelve (Matt 10.2 and parallels) probably indicates his prominence rather than his greater age. In John 1.44 Andrew’s name appears before that of Peter.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .