"John was troubled to see that through love for him, his own disciples were cherishing unbelief in regard to Jesus. Had his work for them been fruitless? Had he been unfaithful in his mission, that he was now cut off from labor? If the promised Deliverer had appeared, and John had been found true to his calling, would not Jesus now overthrow the oppressor's power, and set free His herald? DA 216.2"
"And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?"
Both passages deal with John the Baptist questioning whether Jesus is the Messiah. The EGW passage elaborates on the internal struggle that led to the question posed in Matthew 11:3.
"And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."
Both passages relate to John's disciples questioning Jesus's role and comparing him to John. The EGW passage expands on the potential reasons for John's disciples' concerns, which are reflected in John 3:26.
"But the Baptist did not surrender his faith in Christ. The memory of the voice from heaven and the descending dove, the spotless purity of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit that had rested upon John as he came into the Saviour's presence, and the testimony of the prophetic scriptures,—all witnessed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Promised One. DA 216.3"
"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him."
The EGW passage directly references the event described in John 1:32, making it an explicit allusion.
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
The EGW passage directly references the voice from heaven, which is described in Matthew 3:17, making it an explicit allusion.
"John would not discuss his doubts and anxieties with his companions. He determined to send a message of inquiry to Jesus. This he entrusted to two of his disciples, hoping that an interview with the Saviour would confirm their faith, and bring assurance to their brethren. And he longed for some word from Christ spoken directly for himself. DA 216.4"
"And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?"
The EGW passage describes the context and motivation behind John's inquiry, which is directly quoted in Matthew 11:3. It amplifies the narrative surrounding the verse.
"The disciples came to Jesus with their message, “Art Thou He that should come, or do we look for another?” DA 216.5"
"And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?"
The EGW passage directly quotes Matthew 11:3.
"How short the time since the Baptist had pointed to Jesus, and proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me.” John 1:29, 27 . And now the question, “Art Thou He that should come?” It was keenly bitter and disappointing to human nature. If John, the faithful forerunner, failed to discern Christ's mission, what could be expected from the self-seeking multitude? DA 216.6"
"And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?"
The EGW passage directly quotes Matthew 11:3 and references John's earlier testimony about Jesus. This is a clear and direct allusion.
"The Saviour did not at once answer the disciples’ question. As they stood wondering at His silence, the sick and afflicted were coming to Him to be healed. The blind were groping their way through the crowd; diseased ones of all classes, some urging their own way, some borne by their friends, were eagerly pressing into the presence of Jesus. The voice of the mighty Healer penetrated the deaf ear. A word, a touch of His hand, opened the blind eyes to behold the light of day, the scenes of nature, the faces of friends, and the face of the Deliverer. Jesus rebuked disease and banished fever. His voice reached the ears of the dying, and they arose in health and vigor. Paralyzed demoniacs obeyed His word, their madness left them, and they worshiped Him. While He healed their diseases, He taught the people. The poor peasants and laborers, who were shunned by the rabbis as unclean, gathered close about Him, and He spoke to them the words of eternal life. DA 216.7"
"The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."
The EGW passage describes the healing ministry of Jesus, mirroring the list of miracles performed by Jesus as described in Matthew 11:5. The poor also being ministered to is a key parallel.