The Saviour's own visit to Samaria, and later, the commendation of the good Samaritan, and the grateful joy of that leper, a Samaritan, who alone of the ten returned to give thanks to Christ, were full of significance to the disciples. The lesson sank deep into their hearts. In His commission to them, just before His ascension, Jesus mentioned Samaria with Jerusalem and Judea as the places where they were first to preach the gospel. This commission His teaching had prepared them to fulfill. When in their Master's name they went to Samaria, they found the people ready to receive them. The Samaritans had heard of Christ's words of commendation and His works of mercy for men of their nation. They saw that, notwithstanding their rude treatment of Him, He had only thoughts of love toward them, and their hearts were won. After His ascension they welcomed the Saviour's messengers, and the disciples gathered a precious harvest from among those who had once been their bitterest enemies. “A brui…
"A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth."
Ellen White directly references Isaiah 42:3 in this passage.
"And in his name shall the Gentiles trust."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 12:21 in this passage.
"“I say unto you,” Jesus added, “that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.” Then His mind reverted to the Galilean towns where so much of His ministry had been spent. In deeply sorrowful accents He exclaimed, “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.” DA 489.2"
"But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon Jesus's pronouncements of woe upon Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, as recorded in Luke 10:12. It provides context and explanation for these pronouncements, making it a clear explicit allusion.
"To those busy towns about the Sea of Galilee, heaven's richest blessings had been freely offered. Day after day the Prince of life had gone in and out among them. The glory of God, which prophets and kings had longed to see, had shone upon the multitudes that thronged the Saviour's steps. Yet they had refused the heavenly Gift. DA 489.3"
"But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment in Matthew 13:16-17 about the privilege of seeing and hearing what prophets and kings desired. It highlights the blessings offered to the towns around the Sea of Galilee and their rejection of those blessings, creating a thematic parallel with the biblical verse.
"With a great show of prudence the rabbis had warned the people against receiving the new doctrines taught by this new teacher; for His theories and practices were contrary to the teachings of the fathers. The people gave credence to what the priests and Pharisees taught, in place of seeking to understand the word of God for themselves. They honored the priests and rulers instead of honoring God, and rejected the truth that they might keep their own traditions. Many had been impressed and almost persuaded; but they did not act upon their convictions, and were not reckoned on the side of Christ. Satan presented his temptations, until the light appeared as darkness. Thus many rejected the truth that would have proved the saving of the soul. DA 489.4"
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
Both passages address the issue of prioritizing tradition over God's commandments. The EGW passage specifically mentions the traditions of the fathers, while Matthew 15:3 directly condemns transgressing God's commandments through tradition.
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
The EGW passage speaks of the people not seeking to understand the word of God for themselves. John 5:39 encourages people to search the scriptures. Both passages highlight the importance of studying the scriptures to understand truth.
"Our condemnation in the judgment will not result from the fact that we have been in error, but from the fact that we have neglected heaven-sent opportunities for learning what is truth. DA 489.5"
"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 emphasize the responsibility that comes with knowledge and opportunity. The EGW passage states condemnation comes from neglecting opportunities to learn truth, while Luke 12:48 states that those given much will be required more.
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
Both passages connect condemnation with rejecting light/truth. The EGW passage speaks of neglecting opportunities for learning truth, while John 3:19 states that condemnation comes from loving darkness rather than light.
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
Both passages address the idea that knowing what is right and not doing it is a form of sin or leads to condemnation. The EGW passage speaks of neglecting opportunities to learn truth, while James 4:17 states that knowing to do good and not doing it is sin.