Acts 12:23

“And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, etc.] With a disease after mentioned; this angel, according to Josephus, appeared in the form of an owl; for he says, that a little after (the shout of the people) the king looked up, and saw an owl sitting upon a rope over his head; whom he immediately understood to be an angel, or messenger of evil things to him, as it had been before of good things; for it seems by the same historian f594 , that when he was bound by the order of Caligula, he saw an owl sitting on that tree, on which he leaned; when a certain German predicted, that things would in a short time be changed with him, and he should be advanced to great honour; but remember, says…”

“And immediately the angel of the Lord - Diseases and death axe in the Scriptures often attributed to an angel. See 2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Chronicles 21:12, 1Ch 21:15, 1 Chronicles 21:20, 1 Chronicles 21:27; 2 Chronicles 32:21. It is not intended that there was a miracle in this case, but it certainly is intended by the sacred writer that his death was a divine judgment on him for his receiving homage as a god. Josephus says of him that he “did neither rebuke them the people nor reject their impious flattery. A severe pain arose in his belly, and began in a most violent manner. And when he was quite worn out by the pain in his belly for five days, he departed this life, in the 54th year of his…”

“And immediately - God does not delay to vindicate his injured honour; an angel of the Lord smote him - Of this other historians say nothing: so wide a difference there is between Divine and human history! An angel of the Lord brought out Peter; an angel smote Herod. Men did not see the instruments in either case. These were only known to the people of God. Because he gave not glory to God - He willingly received it to himself, and by this sacrilege filled up the measure of his iniquities. So then vengeance tarried not. And he was eaten by worms, or vermin - How changed! And on the fifth day expired in exquisite torture. Such was the event! The persecutor perished, and the Gospel grew and…”

“the angel: Exo 12:12, Exo 12:23, Exo 12:29; Sa1 25:38; Sa2 24:17; Ch1 21:14-18; Ch2 32:21 because: Act 10:25, Act 10:26, Act 14:14, Act 14:15; Exo 9:17, Exo 10:3; Psa 115:1; Isa 37:23; Eze 28:2, Eze 28:9; Dan 4:30-37, Dan 5:18-24; Luk 12:47, Luk 12:48; Th2 2:4 and he: Ch2 21:18, Ch2 21:19; Job 7:5, Job 19:26; Isa 14:11, Isa 51:8, Isa 66:24; Mar 9:44-48 Acts 12:24”