"The Saviour's voice was as music to the ears of those who had been accustomed to the monotonous, spiritless preaching of the scribes and Pharisees. He spoke slowly and impressively, emphasizing those words to which He wished His hearers to give special heed. Old and young, ignorant and learned, could catch the full meaning of His words. This would have been impossible had He spoken in a hurried way and rushed sentence upon sentence without a pause. The people were very attentive to Him, and it was said of Him that He spoke not as the scribes and Pharisees, for His word was as of one who had authority.... CT 240.1"
"For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
The EGW passage directly references and expands upon the idea presented in Matthew 7:29, contrasting Jesus' teaching style with that of the scribes and Pharisees and highlighting His authority.
"David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly."
Both passages mention the positive reception of Jesus' teaching by the common people. While Mark 12:37 focuses on their gladness in hearing Him, the EGW quote emphasizes their attentiveness and understanding. There is a thematic overlap in the positive response of the common people to Jesus' teachings.
"Christ's manner of teaching was beautiful and attractive, and it was ever characterized by simplicity. He unfolded the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven through the use of figures and symbols with which His hearers were familiar; and the common people heard Him gladly, for they could comprehend His words. There were no high-sounding words used, to understand which it was necessary to consult a dictionary. CT 240.2"
"All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:"
The EGW passage directly alludes to Jesus' use of parables and simple language, as described in Matthew 13:34, to make His teachings accessible to the common people.
"Jesus illustrated the glories of the kingdom of God by the use of the experiences and occurrences of earth. In compassionate love and tenderness He cheered and comforted and instructed all who heard Him; for grace was poured upon His lips that He might convey to men in the most attractive way the treasures of truth. CT 240.3"
"And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?"
Both passages highlight Jesus' effective communication. Luke 4:22 describes the gracious words that proceeded from Jesus' mouth, while the EGW passage emphasizes Jesus' use of earthly experiences to illustrate the kingdom of God and His compassionate way of teaching. The EGW passage expands on the idea of Jesus' effective communication by explaining how He made truth attractive.
"This is the way in which He would have us present His truth to others. The power of speech is of great value, and the voice should be cultivated for the blessing of those with whom we come in contact. CT 240.4"
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
Both passages emphasize the importance of using speech to bless others and glorify God. 1 Peter 4:11 encourages speaking 'as the oracles of God,' while the EGW passage highlights the value of speech and the need to cultivate the voice for the blessing of others. The EGW passage applies the principle of using speech for good.