"But the Saviour saw one case of supreme wretchedness. It was that of a man who had been a helpless cripple for thirty-eight years. His disease was in a great degree the result of his own sin, and was looked upon as a judgment from God. Alone and friendless, feeling that he was shut out from God's mercy, the sufferer had passed long years of misery. At the time when it was expected that the waters would be troubled, those who pitied his helplessness would bear him to the porches. But at the favored moment he had no one to help him in. He had seen the rippling of the water, but had never been able to get farther than the edge of the pool. Others stronger than he would plunge in before him. He could not contend successfully with the selfish, scrambling crowd. His persistent efforts toward the one object, and his anxiety and continual disappointment, were fast wearing away the remnant of his strength. DA 202.1"
"And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years."
The EGW passage is a clear retelling of the story in John 5, specifically mentioning the man who had been ill for 38 years.
"The sick man was lying on his mat, and occasionally lifting his head to gaze at the pool, when a tender, compassionate face bent over him, and the words, “Wilt thou be made whole?” arrested his attention. Hope came to his heart. He felt that in some way he was to have help. But the glow of encouragement soon faded. He remembered how often he had tried to reach the pool, and now he had little prospect of living till it should again be troubled. He turned away wearily, saying, “Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.” DA 202.2"
"When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?"
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on the dialogue between Jesus and the sick man in John 5:6, including the question, "Wilt thou be made whole?" and the man's response about not having anyone to help him into the pool.
"Jesus does not ask this sufferer to exercise faith in Him. He simply says, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” But the man's faith takes hold upon that word. Every nerve and muscle thrills with new life, and healthful action comes to his crippled limbs. Without question he sets his will to obey the command of Christ, and all his muscles respond to his will. Springing to his feet, he finds himself an active man. DA 202.3"
"Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on the biblical verse.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
The EGW passage illustrates the principle of faith in action, which aligns with the general theme of Hebrews 11:1, although it's not a direct allusion.