Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 12:22

"And the people shouted, [saying], The voice of a god, and not of a man." — Acts 12:22 (ASV)

And the people gave a shout. A loud applause.

It is the voice of a god, etc. It is not probable that the Jews joined in this acclamation, but that it was made by the idolatrous Gentiles. Josephus gives a similar account of their feelings and conduct. He says,

"Immediately his flatterers cried out, one from one place, and another from another (though not for his good), that he was a god; and they added, 'Be merciful to us, for although we have until now reverenced you only as a king, yet we will from now on acknowledge you as superior to mortal nature.'"

It is true that Josephus says that this was done when they saw his splendid apparel, and that he gives no account of his addressing the people; while Luke describes it as the effect of his speech. But the discrepancy is of no consequence. Luke is as credible an historian as Josephus; and his account is more consistent than that of the Jewish historian. It is far more probable that this applause and adoration would be excited by speech, than simply by beholding his apparel.