"But He knew also that the father had, in his own mind, made conditions concerning his belief in Jesus. Unless his petition should be granted, he would not receive Him as the Messiah. While the officer waited in an agony of suspense, Jesus said, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” DA 198.1"
"Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe."
The EGW passage directly quotes John 4:48, making it an explicit allusion. The context is also the same: Jesus is addressing someone who is seeking a miracle as proof of his divinity.
Notwithstanding all the evidence that Jesus was the Christ, the petitioner had determined to make his belief in Him conditional on the granting of his own request. The Saviour contrasted this questioning unbelief with the simple faith of the Samaritans, who asked for no miracle or sign. His word, the ever-present evidence of His divinity, had a convincing power that reached their hearts. Christ was pained that His own people, to whom the Sacred Oracles had been committed, should fail to hear the voice of God speaking to them in His Son. DA 198.2 Yet the nobleman had a degree of faith; for he had come to ask what seemed to him the most precious of all blessings. Jesus had a greater gift to bestow. He desired, not only to heal the child, but to make the officer and his household sharers in the blessings of salvation, and to kindle a light in Capernaum, which was so soon to be the field of His own labors. But the nobleman must realize his need before he would desire the grace of Christ. T…
"Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe."
The EGW passage directly references the situation described in John 4:48, contrasting the nobleman's initial need for signs with the faith of the Samaritans. The phrase 'signs and wonders' is a clear allusion.
"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
Both passages address the concept of believing without seeing. While not a direct quote, the underlying principle of faith being more blessed when it doesn't rely on physical proof is present in both.
"And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."
Both passages touch on the idea that unbelief can hinder the work of Christ. In Matthew 13:58, Jesus's ability to perform miracles is limited by the people's lack of faith. In DA 198.3, the nobleman's conditional belief is contrasted with the faith of the Samaritans.
"Like a flash of light, the Saviour's words to the nobleman laid bare his heart. He saw that his motives in seeking Jesus were selfish. His vacillating faith appeared to him in its true character. In deep distress he realized that his doubt might cost the life of his son. He knew that he was in the presence of One who could read the thoughts, and to whom all things were possible. In an agony of supplication he cried, “Sir, come down ere my child die.” His faith took hold upon Christ as did Jacob, when, wrestling with the Angel, he cried, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” Genesis 32:26 . DA 198.4"
"And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."
Ellen White directly references Genesis 32:26 in this passage.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
The EGW passage directly quotes Genesis 32:26 and uses the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel as an analogy to the nobleman's faith. It also alludes to the idea that Jesus can read the thoughts of the heart, which is a concept found in Hebrews 4:12. The connection is strong and explicit.
"Like Jacob he prevailed. The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need. “Go thy way,” He said; “thy son liveth.” The nobleman left the Saviour's presence with a peace and joy he had never known before. Not only did he believe that his son would be restored, but with strong confidence he trusted in Christ as the Redeemer. DA 198.5"
"And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."
The EGW passage explicitly compares the nobleman's persistence in prayer to Jacob's wrestling with the angel. The phrase 'Like Jacob he prevailed' is a clear indicator of this connection. The idea of clinging to God and not letting go until blessed is central to both narratives.
"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
The EGW passage illustrates the principle of persistent prayer and the promise that God will respond to those who earnestly seek Him. This aligns with the teaching in Luke 11:9 about asking, seeking, and knocking.