Came down on is literally “fell down on,” and is so rendered in some translations (see Revised Standard Version and Phillips). However, “to fall on” might seem to imply either that the Holy Spirit tripped and fell, or else that he attacked the believers. As in so many instances, some adjustment must be made in speaking of the Holy Spirit coming upon people—for example, “the Holy Spirit came into,” “the Holy Spirit came to control,” or “the Holy Spirit came into their hearts.”

To the message (literally “to the word”) refers here specifically to the Christian message (see 4.4) rather than merely to Peter’s speech as such (see New English Bible “to the message”). By rendering who were listening to the message as “all the listeners” the Jerusalem Bible has left out an important element.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .