"Christ knew this woman's situation. He knew that she was longing to see Him, and He placed Himself in her path. By ministering to her sorrow, He could give a living representation of the lesson He designed to teach. For this He had brought His disciples into this region. He desired them to see the ignorance existing in cities and villages close to the land of Israel. The people who had been given every opportunity to understand the truth were without a knowledge of the needs of those around them. No effort was made to help souls in darkness. The partition wall which Jewish pride had erected, shut even the disciples from sympathy with the heathen world. But these barriers were to be broken down. DA 400.1"
"But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
The EGW passage discusses Christ's ministry to a woman outside of Israel and the breaking down of barriers. Matthew 15:24 speaks to Jesus' initial focus on the house of Israel. The EGW passage expands on the context of Jesus' ministry and the eventual inclusion of Gentiles, which is thematically linked to the verse.
"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
Both passages highlight compassion for those in need. The EGW passage describes Christ's ministry to a woman and his desire for his disciples to see the needs of those around them. Matthew 9:36 describes Jesus' compassion for the multitudes. The connection lies in the shared theme of compassion and concern for the spiritual and physical needs of others.
"compassionate manner in which He would have them deal with such distress, as manifested by His subsequent granting of her petition. DA 400.2"
"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
Both passages highlight Jesus' compassion for those in distress. The EGW passage specifically mentions dealing with distress in a compassionate manner, which echoes the compassion Jesus felt for the multitudes in Matthew 9:36.
"But although Jesus did not reply, the woman did not lose faith. As He passed on, as if not hearing her, she followed Him, continuing her supplications. Annoyed by her importunities, the disciples asked Jesus to send her away. They saw that their Master treated her with indifference, and they therefore supposed that the prejudice of the Jews against the Canaanites was pleasing to Him. But it was a pitying Saviour to whom the woman made her plea, and in answer to the request of the disciples, Jesus said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Although this answer appeared to be in accordance with the prejudice of the Jews, it was an implied rebuke to the disciples, which they afterward understood as reminding them of what He had often told them,—that He came to the world to save all who would accept Him. DA 400.3"
"But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us."
The EGW passage directly recounts and elaborates on the events described in Matthew 15:23, including the disciples' request to send the woman away.