"It was for the same reason that in Elisha's time the lepers of Israel were passed by. But Naaman, a heathen nobleman, had been faithful to his convictions of right, and had felt his great need of help. He was in a condition to receive the gifts of God's grace. He was not only cleansed from his leprosy, but blessed with a knowledge of the true God. DA 239.1"
"And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian."
The EGW passage directly references the story of Naaman and Elisha, as mentioned in Luke 4:27, to illustrate a point about God's grace extending to those who are receptive, even if they are not part of the chosen people.
"Our standing before God depends, not upon the amount of light we have received, but upon the use we make of what we have. Thus even the heathen who choose the right as far as they can distinguish it are in a more favorable condition than are those who have had great light, and profess to serve God, but who disregard the light, and by their daily life contradict their profession. DA 239.2"
"But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
Both passages convey the principle that responsibility is proportional to the knowledge and opportunities one has been given. The EGW passage expands on this principle, applying it to both those who have received much light and those who have received little.
"The words of Jesus to His hearers in the synagogue struck at the root of their self-righteousness, pressing home upon them the bitter truth that they had departed from God and forfeited their claim to be His people. Every word cut like a knife as their real condition was set before them. They now scorned the faith with which Jesus had at first inspired them. They would not admit that He who had sprung from poverty and lowliness was other than a common man. DA 239.3"
"When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth."
Both passages describe a negative reaction to a message, resulting in the audience being 'cut to the heart' or feeling the words 'cut like a knife'. The context is different (Stephen's speech vs. Jesus' words in the synagogue), but the emotional and spiritual impact is similar.
"Their unbelief bred malice. Satan controlled them, and in wrath they cried out against the Saviour. They had turned from Him whose mission it was to heal and restore; now they manifested the attributes of the destroyer. DA 239.4"
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
The EGW passage describes the people's unbelief leading to malice and them manifesting the attributes of the destroyer. John 8:44 identifies the devil as a murderer and the father of lies. The thematic parallel is that rejecting God leads to embracing the characteristics of the devil.