"In numbers the Sadducees fell far below their opponents, and they had not so strong a hold upon the common people; but many of them were wealthy, and they had the influence which wealth imparts. In their ranks were included most of the priests, and from among them the high priest was usually chosen. This was, however, with the express stipulation that their skeptical opinions should not be made prominent. On account of the numbers and popularity of the Pharisees, it was necessary for the Sadducees to concede outwardly to their doctrines when holding any priestly office; but the very fact that they were eligible to such office gave influence to their errors. DA 604.1"
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
The EGW passage describes the Sadducees' influence due to their wealth, which aligns with the general principle in 1 Timothy 6:10 about the dangers of the love of money.
"And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,"
The EGW passage describes the Sadducees' desire for influence and high positions, which is a thematic parallel to Matthew 23:6, which criticizes the desire for prominent positions.
"The Sadducees rejected the teaching of Jesus; He was animated by a spirit which they would not acknowledge as manifesting itself thus; and His teaching in regard to God and the future life contradicted their theories. They believed in God as the only being superior to man; but they argued that an overruling providence and a divine foresight would deprive man of free moral agency, and degrade him to the position of a slave. It was their belief, that, having created man, God had left him to himself, independent of a higher influence. They held that man was free to control his own life and to shape the events of the world; that his destiny was in his own hands. They denied that the Spirit of God works through human efforts or natural means. Yet they still held that, through the proper employment of his natural powers, man could become elevated and enlightened; that by rigorous and austere exactions his life could be purified. DA 604.2"
"For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both."
Both passages explicitly state the Sadducees' denial of the resurrection, angels, and spirit. The EGW passage provides a more detailed explanation of the Sadducees' beliefs, but the core concept is directly alluded to.
"Their ideas of God molded their own character. As in their view He had no interest in man, so they had little regard for one another; there was little union among them. Refusing to acknowledge the influence of the Holy Spirit upon human action, they lacked His power in their lives. Like the rest of the Jews, they boasted much of their birthright as children of Abraham, and of their strict adherence to the requirements of the law; but of the true spirit of the law and the faith and benevolence of Abraham, they were destitute. Their natural sympathies were brought within a narrow compass. They believed it possible for all men to secure the comforts and blessings of life; and their hearts were not touched by the wants and sufferings of others. They lived for themselves. DA 604.3"
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
Both passages discuss the hypocrisy of claiming to love God while lacking love and compassion for others. The EGW passage expands on this theme in the context of the Sadducees.
"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
Both passages contrast outward observance with inward spiritual reality. The EGW passage criticizes the Sadducees' adherence to the law without the true spirit of faith and benevolence, echoing Paul's argument in Romans about true circumcision being of the heart.