"“A man can receive nothing,” he said, “except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:27-30 . 8T 333.3"
"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."
The EGW passage directly quotes John 3:27.
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
The EGW passage directly quotes John 3:30.
"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease."
Ellen White directly references John 3:27-30 in this passage.
"Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life. 8T 333.4"
"He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias."
Both passages refer to John the Baptist's role as 'a voice' preparing the way for the Lord. EGW expands on this idea, highlighting John's self-effacement and focus on directing attention to Christ.
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
The EGW passage illustrates the principle of John 3:30 ('He must increase, but I must decrease') by describing John the Baptist's willingness to fade into the background so that Jesus could be the focus.
"Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ. They will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29 . They will lift up Jesus, and with Him humanity will be lifted up. “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15 . 8T 333.5"
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
EGW directly quotes John 1:29.
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
EGW directly quotes Isaiah 57:15.