"In Stony Places “He that receiveth the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” COL 46"
"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;"
EGW directly quotes Matthew 13:20, making this an explicit allusion.
"Thus in the homes of professed Christians many youth are educated to be infidels. And the parents question why their children are so little interested in the gospel, and so ready to doubt the truth of the Bible. They wonder that it is so difficult to reach them with moral and religious influences. They do not see that their own example has hardened the hearts of their children. The good seed finds no place to take root, and Satan catches it away. COL 46.1"
"When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."
EGW directly alludes to the parable of the sower, specifically the part where Satan snatches away the seed. The connection is clear and intentional.
"The seed sown upon stony ground finds little depth of soil. The plant springs up quickly, but the root cannot penetrate the rock to find nutriment to sustain its growth, and it soon perishes. Many who make a profession of religion are stony-ground hearers. Like the rock underlying the layer of earth, the selfishness of the natural heart underlies the soil of their good desires and aspirations. The love of self is not subdued. They have not seen the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the heart has not been humbled under a sense of its guilt. This class may be easily convinced, and appear to be bright converts, but they have only a superficial religion. COL 46.3"
"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."
EGW elaborates on the parable of the seed sown on stony ground, drawing parallels between the lack of root and superficial religion. While not a direct quote, the connection is strong and intentional, expanding on the biblical concept.
"who in the parable are said to receive the word immediately, do not count the cost. They do not consider what the word of God requires of them. They do not bring it face to face with all their habits of life, and yield themselves fully to its control. COL 46.4"
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?"
Both passages discuss the importance of considering the cost or implications before committing to something. Luke 14:28 uses the analogy of building a tower, while EGW applies it to accepting the word of God. The connection is valid and meaningful.
"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;"
Both passages refer to those who receive the word with initial enthusiasm but fail to fully embrace it. Matthew 13:20 describes the stony ground hearer, while EGW elaborates on the reasons for this failure, specifically the unwillingness to count the cost.