"At the time of the birth of Christ the nation was chafing under the rule of her foreign masters, and racked with internal strife. The Jews had been permitted to maintain the form of a separate government; but nothing could disguise the fact that they were under the Roman yoke, or reconcile them to the restriction of their power. The Romans claimed the right of appointing and removing the high priest, and the office was often secured by fraud, bribery, and even murder. Thus the priesthood became more and more corrupt. Yet the priests still possessed great power, and they employed it for selfish and mercenary ends. The people were subjected to their merciless demands, and were also heavily taxed by the Romans. This state of affairs caused widespread discontent. Popular outbreaks were frequent. Greed and violence, distrust and spiritual apathy, were eating out the very heart of the nation. DA 30.1"
"But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cesar."
Both passages describe the political and social climate of Judea under Roman rule. John 19:15 shows the chief priests' allegiance to Caesar, while the EGW passage provides a broader description of the corruption and discontent of the time. The EGW passage provides context for the chief priests' statement.
"but without spiritual insight. Thus they overlooked those scriptures that point to the humiliation of Christ's first advent, and misapplied those that speak of the glory of His second coming. Pride obscured their vision. They interpreted prophecy in accordance with their selfish desires. DA 30.2"
"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."
Both passages discuss a failure to understand prophecy related to Christ, specifically regarding his suffering and glory. Luke 24:25-27 describes Jesus rebuking disciples for their slowness to believe the prophetic scriptures concerning his suffering, which aligns with EGW's statement about overlooking scriptures related to Christ's humiliation.
"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart."
Both passages discuss a 'blindness' or 'veil' that prevents understanding of scripture. 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 speaks of a veil over the hearts of those who read the Old Testament, preventing them from seeing Christ. EGW speaks of pride obscuring vision and leading to misinterpretation of prophecy, which is a similar concept.