<p>8:4 <i>Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law</i>- Clearly this was written whilst the Jerusalem temple was still functioning, before AD70. Because His mediation was a one-off act, the Lord would not be a priest if He were now on earth. He is given the <i>title</i> of priest, as He is given the title &quot;the man Christ Jesus&quot; (1 Tim. 2:5), even though He is not now a man. And the Lord was from Judah, not Levi. Paul is stressing the two different kinds of priesthood, and by noting that there were still Aaronic priests operating, he is implying that their service is worthless compared to that of the Messianic Melchizedek priest.</p>