"But how unlike his anticipations was his entrance into the city! Stricken with blindness, helpless, tortured by remorse, knowing not what further judgment might be in store for him, he sought out the home of the disciple Judas, where, in solitude, he had ample opportunity for reflection and prayer. AA 118.1"
"And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink."
The EGW passage directly describes the events in Acts 9:8-9, elaborating on Saul's blindness and helplessness after the encounter with Jesus. It's more than just an allusion; it's a retelling and expansion of the biblical narrative.
"For three days Saul was “without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.” These days of soul agony were to him as years. Again and again he recalled, with anguish of spirit, the part he had taken in the martyrdom of Stephen. With horror he thought of his guilt in allowing himself to be controlled by the malice and prejudice of the priests and rulers, even when the face of Stephen had been lighted up with the radiance of heaven. In sadness and brokenness of spirit he recounted the many times he had closed his eyes and ears against the most striking evidences and had relentlessly urged on the persecution of the believers in Jesus of Nazareth. AA 118.2"
"And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink."
This EGW passage directly expands on the detail in Acts 9:9 about Saul's three days without sight, food, or drink, and connects it to his remorse over Stephen's martyrdom. It's a direct elaboration of the biblical text.
"These days of close self-examination and of heart humiliation were spent in lonely seclusion. The believers, having been given warning of the purpose of Saul in coming to Damascus, feared that he might be acting a part, in order the more readily to deceive them; and they held themselves aloof, refusing him their sympathy. He had no desire to appeal to the unconverted Jews, with whom he had planned to unite in persecuting the believers; for he knew that they would not even listen to his story. Thus he seemed to be shut away from all human sympathy. His only hope of help was in a merciful God, and to Him he appealed in brokenness of heart. AA 118.3"
"Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted."
The EGW passage describes Saul's feelings of desolation and isolation, and his appeal to God for mercy. While not a direct quote, it echoes the sentiment of Psalm 25:16, where the psalmist cries out for mercy in a state of desolation. The connection is thematic, reflecting a similar emotional state and reliance on God.