(And We sent not (as Our messengers) before thee other than men whom We inspired…) [16:43].
This verse was revealed about the idolaters of Mecca who denied the prophethood of Muhammad, Allah bless him and give him peace. They said: “Allah is too great to have a human being as His messenger; could He not have sent an angel?”
Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi , trans. Mokrane Guezzou