"Jesus came in poverty and humiliation, that He might be our example as well as our Redeemer. If He had appeared with kingly pomp, how could He have taught humility? how could He have presented such cutting truths as in the Sermon on the Mount? Where would have been the hope of the lowly in life had Jesus come to dwell as a king among men? DA 138.1"
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
Both passages discuss Jesus' choice to come in poverty and humility. The EGW passage expands on the reasons for this choice, while 2 Corinthians 8:9 states the fact of His poverty and its purpose.
"To the multitude, however, it seemed impossible that the One designated by John should be associated with their lofty anticipations. Thus many were disappointed, and greatly perplexed. DA 138.2"
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Both passages deal with the rejection and disappointment surrounding Jesus. Isaiah 53:3 speaks of Jesus being despised, while the EGW passage describes the multitude's disappointment that Jesus didn't meet their expectations. The connection is thematic and meaningful.
"The words which the priests and rabbis so much desired to hear, that Jesus would now restore the kingdom to Israel, had not been spoken. For such a king they had been waiting and watching; such a king they were ready to receive. But one who sought to establish in their hearts a kingdom of righteousness and peace, they would not accept. DA 138.3"
"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."
Both passages highlight the people's desire for a king who would restore Israel's kingdom and their rejection of Jesus' spiritual kingdom. The EGW passage directly contrasts the kind of king they wanted with the kind of king Jesus was, echoing the sentiment in John 6:15 where they wanted to take Jesus by force to make him king.
"On the following day, while two disciples were standing near, John again saw Jesus among the people. Again the face of the prophet was lighted up with glory from the Unseen, as he cried, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The words thrilled the hearts of the disciples. They did not fully understand them. What meant the name that John had given Him,—“the Lamb of God”? John himself had not explained it. DA 138.4"
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on John 1:29, making it a clear explicit allusion.
"Leaving John, they went to seek Jesus. One of the two was Andrew, the brother of Simon; the other was John the evangelist. These were Christ's first disciples. Moved by an irresistible impulse, they followed Jesus,— anxious to speak with Him, yet awed and silent, lost in the overwhelming significance of the thought, “Is this the Messiah?” DA 138.5"
"And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus."
Both passages describe the disciples following Jesus after hearing John the Baptist. The EGW passage elaborates on the disciples' motivations and feelings, building upon the biblical narrative.
"Jesus knew that the disciples were following Him. They were the first fruits of His ministry, and there was joy in the heart of the divine Teacher as these souls responded to His grace. Yet turning, He asked only, “What seek ye?” He would leave them free to turn back or to speak of their desire. DA 138.6"
"Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?"
The EGW passage directly quotes Jesus' question from John 1:38, "What seek ye?" and uses it as a springboard for further commentary.
"Of one purpose only were they conscious. One presence filled their thought. They exclaimed, “Rabbi, ... where dwellest Thou ?” In a brief interview by the wayside they could not receive that for which they longed. They desired to be alone with Jesus, to sit at His feet, and hear His words. DA 138.7"
"Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?"
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on the biblical text, making it a clear explicit allusion.