Acts 12:21–24. On an appointed day, Herod, having put on royal apparel, sat on an elevated place and spoke to them; and the people cried out: this is the voice of God, and not of a man. But suddenly an Angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God; and he, having been eaten by worms, died. And the word of God grew and spread.
Josephus says that Herod, at the arrival of the following day, came to the theater dressed in a royal garment remarkable in its weaving, made entirely of silver. The silver, gleaming at the first fall of sunlight upon it, shone wondrously with a dazzling and awe-striking play of rays of light; and the flatterers immediately began calling him a god, adding: "Be gracious; if until now we feared you as a man, from this time we acknowledge that you are above human nature." Notice how they flattered, but turn your gaze also to the greatness of spirit of the apostles. The one whom an entire people so honored, they despised. However, even if the flatterers cried out thus, what relation does this have to Herod? This: that he accepted this cry, that he considered himself worthy of such flattery. And it was chiefly by him that they were taught such senseless flattery. Thus both he and they deserved punishment, but since it was not yet the time of judgment, only the one who was especially guilty was punished. If he, who merely allowed himself to hear such an opinion about himself — "the voice of a god, and not of a man" — suffered such disgrace, then Christ would have been punished far more if He were not God Himself — Christ, who constantly said: "These words are not Mine" and: "Angels serve Me."
Acts 12:25. And Barnabas and Saul, having fulfilled their commission, returned from Jerusalem [to Antioch], taking with them also John, who was surnamed Mark.