"“He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man.” Matthew 13:37 . Christ had come, not as a king, but as a sower; not for the overthrow of kingdoms, but for the scattering of seed; not to point His followers to earthly triumphs and national greatness, but to a harvest to be gathered after patient toil and through losses and disappointments. COL 35.1"
"He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;"
Ellen White directly references Matthew 13:37 in this passage.
"The Pharisees perceived the meaning of Christ's parable, but to them its lesson was unwelcome. They affected not to understand it. To the multitude it involved in still greater mystery the purpose of the new teacher, whose words had so strangely moved their hearts and so bitterly disappointed their ambitions. The disciples themselves had not understood the parable, but their interest was awakened. They came to Jesus privately and asked for an explanation. COL 35.2"
"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?"
Both passages describe the disciples seeking clarification from Jesus regarding parables. The EGW passage elaborates on the Pharisees' reaction, but the core idea of the disciples' inquiry is present in both.
"And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable."
Similar to the previous pair, both passages describe the disciples asking Jesus about a parable in private. Mark 4:10 provides a more specific detail about the setting, but the core idea is the same.
"This was the desire which Christ wished to arouse, that He might give them more definite instruction. He explained the parable to them, as He will make plain His word to all who seek Him in sincerity of heart. Those who study the word of God with hearts open to the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, will not remain in darkness as to the meaning of the word. “If any man willeth to do His will,” Christ said, “he shall know of the teaching whether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself.” John 7:17 , R.V. All who come to Christ for a clearer knowledge of the truth will receive it. He will unfold to them the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and these mysteries will be understood by the heart that longs to know the truth. A heavenly light will shine into the soul temple, and will be revealed to others as the bright shining of a lamp on a dark path. COL 35.3"
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."
EGW directly quotes John 7:17 and uses it as a basis for her argument.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"
Both passages emphasize the importance of seeking and asking for understanding, and the promise that those who sincerely seek will receive enlightenment. EGW directly connects the principle of asking and receiving to understanding God's word.