"Nicodemus had come to the Lord thinking to enter into a discussion with Him, but Jesus laid bare the foundation principles of truth. He said to Nicodemus, It is not theoretical knowledge you need so much as spiritual regeneration. You need not to have your curiosity satisfied, but to have a new heart. You must receive a new life from above before you can appreciate heavenly things. Until this change takes place, making all things new, it will result in no saving good for you to discuss with Me My authority or My mission. DA 171.1"
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
The EGW passage directly alludes to and expands upon Jesus's statement in John 3:3 about being born again, presenting it as a foundational principle of truth. It's a clear and direct reference.
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that spiritual understanding is necessary to comprehend spiritual things. Nicodemus's need for spiritual regeneration before understanding heavenly things aligns with the idea that the natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God.
"The figure of the new birth, which Jesus had used, was not wholly unfamiliar to Nicodemus. Converts from heathenism to the faith of Israel were often compared to children just born. Therefore he must have perceived that the words of Christ were not to be taken in a literal sense. But by virtue of his birth as an Israelite he regarded himself as sure of a place in the kingdom of God. He felt that he needed no change. Hence his surprise at the Saviour's words. He was irritated by their close application to himself. The pride of the Pharisee was struggling against the honest desire of the seeker after truth. He wondered that Christ should speak to him as He did, not respecting his position as ruler in Israel. DA 171.3"
"Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?"
The EGW passage discusses Nicodemus's misunderstanding and assumptions based on his Jewish identity, which is thematically related to the idea that outward identity doesn't guarantee salvation, as discussed in Romans 2:28-29. However, the connection is not a direct allusion, but rather a parallel in the underlying theme.
"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
The EGW passage discusses Nicodemus's misunderstanding and assumptions based on his Jewish identity, which is thematically related to the idea that outward identity doesn't guarantee salvation, as discussed in Romans 2:28-29. However, the connection is not a direct allusion, but rather a parallel in the underlying theme.
"Surprised out of his self-possession, he answered Christ in words full of irony, “How can a man be born when he is old?” Like many others when cutting truth is brought home to the conscience, he revealed the fact that the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. There is in him nothing that responds to spiritual things; for spiritual things are spiritually discerned. DA 171.4"
"Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?"
EGW directly quotes and comments on John 3:4, making it an explicit allusion.
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
EGW directly alludes to 1 Corinthians 2:14 by stating "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God" and then elaborating on that concept.
"But the Saviour did not meet argument with argument. Raising His hand with solemn, quiet dignity, He pressed the truth home with greater assurance, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus knew that Christ here referred to water baptism and the renewing of the heart by the Spirit of God. He was convinced that he was in the presence of the One whom John the Baptist had foretold. DA 171.5"
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
The EGW passage directly quotes and interprets John 3:5, placing it within the context of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.