As the disciples searched the prophecies that testified of Christ, they were brought into fellowship with the Deity, and learned of Him who had ascended to heaven to complete the work He had begun on earth. They recognized the fact that in Him dwelt knowledge which no human being, unaided by divine agency, could comprehend. They needed the help of Him whom kings, prophets, and righteous men had foretold. With amazement they read and reread the prophetic delineations of His character and work. How dimly had they comprehended the prophetic scriptures! how slow they had been in taking in the great truths which testified of Christ! Looking upon Him in His humiliation, as He walked a man among men, they had not understood the mystery of His incarnation, the dual character of His nature. Their eyes were holden, so that they did not fully recognize divinity in humanity. But after they were illuminated by the Holy Spirit, how they longed to see Him again, and to place themselves at His feet! H…
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
Ellen White directly references John 16:12 in this passage.
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."
Both passages discuss the disciples' understanding of scripture in relation to Christ. Luke 24:27 describes Jesus explaining the scriptures to them, while the EGW passage describes the disciples searching the prophecies and gaining understanding. The EGW passage amplifies the idea of searching the scriptures to understand Christ.
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
Both passages connect searching the scriptures with understanding Christ. John 5:39 is a direct command to search the scriptures because they testify of Christ. The EGW passage describes the disciples searching the scriptures and learning about Christ. The EGW passage expands on the idea presented in John 5:39.