"This was not what the Jews wanted. They had not forgotten their former defeat at Caesarea. In contrast with the calm bearing and forcible arguments of the apostle, their own malignant spirit and baseless accusations would appear in the worst possible light. Again they urged that Paul be brought to Jerusalem for trial, but Festus held firmly to his purpose of giving Paul a fair trial at Caesarea. God in His providence controlled the decision of Festus, that the life of the apostle might be lengthened. AA 429.1"
"The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
EGW interprets Festus's decision as divinely influenced, aligning with the general principle of Proverbs 21:1 that God can influence rulers' decisions. The connection is thematic rather than a direct quote or allusion.
"Their purposes defeated, the Jewish leaders at once prepared to witness against Paul at the court of the procurator. Upon returning to Caesarea, after a few days’ sojourn at Jerusalem, Festus “the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.” “The Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.” Being on this occasion without a lawyer, the Jews preferred their charges themselves. As the trial proceeded, the accused with calmness and candor clearly showed the falsity of their statements. AA 429.2"
"And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove."
The EGW passage directly quotes Acts 25:7, indicating a clear and intentional reference to the biblical text. The context is also the same: the accusations against Paul.
"Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me."
The EGW passage alludes to Acts 24:13 by stating "which they could not prove", which is a direct reference to the verse "Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me."
"Festus discerned that the question in dispute related wholly to Jewish doctrines, and that, rightly understood, there was nothing in the charges against Paul, could they be proved, that would render him subject to sentence of death, or even to imprisonment. Yet he saw clearly the storm of rage that would be created if Paul were not condemned or delivered into their hands. And so, “willing to do the Jews a pleasure,” Festus turned to Paul, and asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem under his protection, to be tried by the Sanhedrin. AA 429.3"
"But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?"
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon Acts 25:9, making it a clear explicit allusion.
"And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified."
Both passages highlight a Roman official (Festus and Pilate) who, despite recognizing the innocence or lack of serious offense of the accused (Paul and Jesus), is willing to compromise justice to appease the Jewish leaders/people. The phrase "willing to do the Jews a pleasure" in EGW and "willing to content the people" in Mark 15:15 are strong indicators of a thematic parallel.