He said, "Yes." But when he went home, Jesus spoke of it first and said, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect duties and taxes? From their own people, or from aliens?"

He said to them, "Do not collect any more than you are authorized to."

Those of the descendants of Levi who are appointed to the priesthood are directed by the Law to collect tithes from the people, that is, from their own brothers, although they are descended from Abraham like themselves.

In the one case, mortal men collect tithes; but in the other, one who, it is intimated, lives on.