"The teachers in our schools are today in danger of following in the same track as did the Jews in Christ's day. Whatever may be their position, however they may pride themselves upon their ability to teach, unless they open the chambers of the soul temple to receive the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness, they are written in the books of heaven as unbelievers. By precept and example they intercept the rays of light that would come to the students. Their danger is in being self-centered and too wise to be instructed. CT 372.1"
"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."
Both passages describe leaders (teachers in EGW, scribes and Pharisees in Matthew) who hinder others from receiving spiritual truth. EGW speaks of teachers intercepting the rays of light, while Matthew 23:13 describes the scribes and Pharisees shutting up the kingdom of heaven. The parallel lies in the act of obstructing others' access to spiritual understanding.
"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."
Both passages refer to light and its role in spiritual understanding. EGW mentions the 'Sun of Righteousness' and intercepting rays of light, while John 1:9 speaks of the 'true Light' that lighteth every man. The connection is in the metaphorical use of light to represent spiritual enlightenment and truth.
"We are living in a world full of corruption, and if we do not receive the living Christ into our hearts, believing and doing His words, we shall be left as blind as were the Jews. All teachers need to grasp every ray of heavenly light shed upon their pathway; for as instructors they need light. Some say, “Yes, I think I am anxious for this;” but they deceive themselves. Where do you get your light? From what fountain have you been drinking? I have the word of the Lord that not a few of the teachers have left the snow waters of Lebanon for the turbid streams of the valley. God alone can guide us safely in paths which lead to the better country. But the teachers who are not earnestly and intelligently seeking that better country are leading those under their influence to be careless and to neglect the great salvation bought for them at an infinite price. CT 372.2"
"And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."
Both passages deal with spiritual blindness and the source of true light. The EGW passage speaks of teachers who have abandoned the 'snow waters of Lebanon' (pure teachings) for 'turbid streams' (corrupted teachings), leading to spiritual blindness, echoing the concept in John 9:39 where Jesus speaks of coming to bring sight to the blind and blindness to those who think they see.