"How tenderly the Saviour dealt with him who was to be His betrayer! In His teaching, Jesus dwelt upon principles of benevolence that struck at the very root of covetousness. He presented before Judas the heinous character of greed, and many a time the disciple realized that his character had been portrayed, and his sin pointed out; but he would not confess and forsake his unrighteousness. He was self-sufficient, and instead of resisting temptation, he continued to follow his fraudulent practices. Christ was before him, a living example of what he must become if he reaped the benefit of the divine mediation and ministry; but lesson after lesson fell unheeded on the ears of Judas. DA 295.1"
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
The EGW passage discusses Jesus' attempts to dissuade Judas from covetousness, which aligns with the general principle of renouncing earthly possessions for spiritual gain as exemplified in Matthew 19:21. The verse provides a specific example of Jesus challenging someone's attachment to wealth, which resonates with EGW's broader point about Jesus addressing Judas's greed.
"Jesus dealt him no sharp rebuke for his covetousness, but with divine patience bore with this erring man, even while giving him evidence that He read his heart as an open book. He presented before him the highest incentives for right doing; and in rejecting the light of Heaven, Judas would be without excuse. DA 295.2"
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
The EGW passage states that Judas rejected the 'light of Heaven' and would be without excuse. John 3:19 directly states that condemnation comes from people loving darkness rather than light. The connection is that both passages link rejecting Jesus (or the principles he represents) with a preference for darkness and a resulting condemnation.
"But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?"
Both passages deal with Jesus' interaction with Judas, specifically related to his betrayal. The EGW passage speaks of Jesus' patience and attempts to reach Judas despite knowing his heart, while Luke 22:48 records Jesus' poignant question to Judas at the moment of betrayal. The connection lies in the contrast between Jesus' knowing awareness and Judas' actions.
"Instead of walking in the light, Judas chose to retain his defects. Evil desires, revengeful passions, dark and sullen thoughts, were cherished, until Satan had full control of the man. Judas became a representative of the enemy of Christ. DA 295.3"
"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
The EGW passage describes Judas choosing to retain his defects and cherishing evil thoughts, leading to Satan's control. John 3:20 states that those who do evil hate the light and avoid it to prevent their deeds from being exposed. Both passages connect evil deeds with a rejection of light and a preference for darkness. The parallel is strong and direct.
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
The EGW passage illustrates the principle described in James 1:14-15, showing how yielding to temptation leads to sin and ultimately spiritual death, as exemplified by Judas.
"When he came into association with Jesus, he had some precious traits of character that might have been made a blessing to the church. If he had been willing to wear the yoke of Christ, he might have been among the chief of the apostles; but he hardened his heart when his defects were pointed out, and in pride and rebellion chose his own selfish ambitions, and thus unfitted himself for the work that God would have given him to do. DA 295.4"
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
The EGW passage directly references the concept of taking on the 'yoke of Christ' and contrasts it with Judas's choice of selfish ambition. This aligns with the invitation in Matthew 11:29 to find rest by learning from Christ's meekness and lowliness.
"While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."
The EGW passage speaks of Judas hardening his heart when his defects were pointed out, which directly echoes the warning in Hebrews 3:15 against hardening one's heart when hearing God's voice.
"All the disciples had serious faults when Jesus called them to His service. Even John, who came into closest association with the meek and lowly One, was not himself naturally meek and yielding. He and his brother were called “the sons of thunder.” While they were with Jesus, any slight shown to Him aroused their indignation and combativeness. Evil temper, revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the beloved disciple. He was proud, and ambitious to be first in the kingdom of God. But day by day, in contrast with his own violent spirit, he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus, and heard His lessons of humility and patience. He opened his heart to the divine influence, and became not only a hearer but a doer of the Saviour's words. Self was hid in Christ. He learned to wear the yoke of Christ and to bear His burden. DA 295.5"
"And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:"
EGW directly references the nickname 'sons of thunder' given to James and John, which is explicitly stated in Mark 3:17. The EGW passage elaborates on the meaning and implications of this nickname, connecting it to their initial temperament and subsequent transformation.
"Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren."
Both passages describe the ambition of James and John to be the greatest in the kingdom of God. Matthew 20:20-24 recounts their mother's request for them to sit at Jesus' right and left, while EGW describes John as 'proud, and ambitious to be first in the kingdom of God.' The indignation of the other disciples in Matthew further supports the idea of their ambition causing conflict.