Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 32:35

"And Jehovah smote the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made." — Exodus 32:35 (ASV)

The Lord plagued the people. —We are not to understand by this (with Kalisch) that a pestilence was sent, but only that sufferings of various kinds befell those who had worshipped the calf, and were, in fact, punishments inflicted on them for that transgression.