Bethsaida was actually Bethsaida Julias, built at the northeastern-most point of the Lake of Galilee by Philip, the rule of the territory of Iturea and Trachonitis. Technically, the city was not in the region of Galilee, but it is possible that the whole region around the lake was loosely called Galilee. This region had a large Gentile population, and it is interesting that both Philip and Andrew are Greek, rather than Jewish names.

Though in connection with 1.40 it was suggested that Simon Peter may have been the older brother of Andrew because Peter is usually named first in the listing of the disciples, not that in verse 44 the name of Andrew occurs before that of Peter. It is possible, therefore, that Andrew was indeed the older brother and that in this particular verse, rather than in the other instances, we have the normal way in which two brothers would be listed in Hebrew or Semitic Greek. Nevertheless, on the basis of the more usual pattern, we are probably justified in regarding Peter as the older of the two.

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 .