the angel: “The ax must be laid at the root of the tree.” Those who, like Judas, have set their hearts upon earthly treasure will complain as he did. His heart coveted the costly ointment poured upon Jesus, and he sought to hide his selfishness under a pious, conscientious regard for the poor: “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” He wished that he had the ointment in his possession; it would not thus be lavished upon the Saviour. He would apply it to his own use; sell it for money. He prized his Lord just enough to sell Him to wicked men for a few pieces of silver. As Judas brought up the poor as an excuse for his selfishness, so professed Christians, whose hearts are covetous, will seek to hide their selfishness under a put-on conscientiousness. Oh, they fear that in adopting systematic benevolence we are becoming like the nominal churches! “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” They seem to have a conscientious desire to fo…
"This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."
EGW directly references Judas's complaint about the ointment and connects it to his covetousness, which is the central point of John 12:6. The passage in John explains Judas's true motivation, which EGW uses to illustrate a broader principle about selfishness.
"But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?"
The EGW passage references the disciples' indignation at the waste of ointment, mirroring the sentiment expressed in Matthew 26:8. The context of Judas's complaint is also present in both passages.
"And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver."
The EGW passage mentions Judas selling Jesus for a few pieces of silver, which directly relates to Matthew 26:15, where Judas covenants to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. The connection is clear and supports the argument about Judas's covetousness.
"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
EGW uses the imagery of the ax laid to the root of the tree to illustrate the need for a fundamental change of heart, connecting it to the story of Judas and the need to address covetousness. While not a direct quote or explicit allusion, the thematic connection is clear.
"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
Similar to the Matthew 3:10 connection, EGW uses the imagery of the ax laid to the root of the tree to illustrate the need for a fundamental change of heart, connecting it to the story of Judas and the need to address covetousness. While not a direct quote or explicit allusion, the thematic connection is clear.