"The Jews had the Scriptures in their possession, and supposed that in their mere outward knowledge of the word they had eternal life. But Jesus said, “Ye have not His word abiding in you.” Having rejected Christ in His word, they rejected Him in person. “Ye will not come to Me,” He said, “that ye might have life.” DA 212.1"
"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not."
EGW directly quotes John 5:38, making this an explicit allusion.
"The Jewish leaders had studied the teachings of the prophets concerning the kingdom of the Messiah; but they had done this, not with a sincere desire to know the truth, but with the purpose of finding evidence to sustain their ambitious hopes. When Christ came in a manner contrary to their expectations, they would not receive Him; and in order to justify themselves, they tried to prove Him a deceiver. When once they had set their feet in this path, it was easy for Satan to strengthen their opposition to Christ. The very words that should have been received as evidence of His divinity were interpreted against Him. Thus they turned the truth of God into a lie, and the more directly the Saviour spoke to them in His works of mercy, the more determined they were in resisting the light. DA 212.2"
"How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?"
Both passages deal with a lack of genuine faith and a seeking of honor from men rather than God. The EGW passage describes the Jewish leaders' motivations, while the verse from John is a direct rebuke from Jesus about this very issue. The connection is thematic, but not a direct allusion.
"Jesus said, “I receive not honor from men.” It was not the influence of the Sanhedrin, it was not their sanction He desired. He could receive no honor from their approbation. He was invested with the honor and authority of Heaven. Had He desired it, angels would have come to do Him homage; the Father would again have testified to His divinity. But for their own sake, for the sake of the nation whose leaders they were, He desired the Jewish rulers to discern His character, and receive the blessings He came to bring them. DA 212.3"
"I receive not honour from men."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon John 5:41, making it an explicit allusion.
"And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape."
Both passages refer to the Father bearing witness of Jesus. The EGW passage expands on this idea, stating that the Father would again testify to His divinity. The connection is thematic and supports the idea of divine validation.
"“I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” Jesus came by the authority of God, bearing His image, fulfilling His word, and seeking His glory; yet He was not accepted by the leaders in Israel; but when others should come, assuming the character of Christ, but actuated by their own will and seeking their own glory, they would be received. And why? Because he who is seeking his own glory appeals to the desire for self-exaltation in others. To such appeals the Jews could respond. They would receive the false teacher because he flattered their pride by sanctioning their cherished opinions and traditions. But the teaching of Christ did not coincide with their ideas. It was spiritual, and demanded the sacrifice of self; therefore they would not receive it. They were not acquainted with God, and to them His voice through Christ was the voice of a stranger. DA 212.4"
"I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on John 5:43, making it a clear and explicit allusion. The explanation provided by EGW directly relates to the verse.