"The priests thought that with the weak and vacillating Pilate they could carry through their plans without trouble. Before this he had signed the death warrant hastily, condemning to death men they knew were not worthy of death. In his estimation the life of a prisoner was of little account; whether he were innocent or guilty was of no special consequence. The priests hoped that Pilate would now inflict the death penalty on Jesus without giving Him a hearing. This they besought as a favor on the occasion of their great national festival. DA 724.5 But there was something in the prisoner that held Pilate back from this. He dared not do it. He read the purposes of the priests. He remembered how, not long before, Jesus had raised Lazarus, a man that had been dead four days; and he determined to know, before signing the sentence of condemnation, what were the charges against Him, and whether they could be proved. DA 725.1"
"When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it."
Both passages describe Pilate's reluctance to condemn Jesus and his attempts to avoid responsibility for his death. The EGW passage focuses on Pilate's past behavior and his motivations in the case of Jesus, while Matthew 27:24 describes Pilate's symbolic act of washing his hands to declare his innocence.
"If your judgment is sufficient, he said, why bring the prisoner to me? “Take ye Him, and judge Him according to your law.” Thus pressed, the priests said that they had already passed sentence upon Him, but that they must have Pilate's sentence to render their condemnation valid. What is your sentence? Pilate asked. The death sentence, they answered; but it is not lawful for us to put any man to death. They asked Pilate to take their word as to Christ's guilt, and enforce their sentence. They would take the responsibility of the result. DA 725.2"
"Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:"
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon the dialogue between Pilate and the Jews regarding their inability to execute Jesus, as found in John 18:31.
"Pilate was not a just or a conscientious judge; but weak though he was in moral power, he refused to grant this request. He would not condemn Jesus until a charge had been brought against Him. DA 725.3"
"They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee."
The EGW passage refers to the Jews' statement that they would not have delivered Jesus up if he were not a malefactor, which is directly quoted in John 18:30. The EGW passage expands on Pilate's reluctance to condemn Jesus without a charge.
"The priests were in a dilemma. They saw that they must cloak their hypocrisy under the thickest concealment. They must not allow it to appear that Christ had been arrested on religious grounds. Were this put forward as a reason, their proceedings would have no weight with Pilate. They must make it appear that Jesus was working against the common law; then He could be punished as a political offender. Tumults and insurrection against the Roman government were constantly arising among the Jews. With these revolts the Romans had dealt very rigorously, and they were constantly on the watch to repress everything that could lead to an outbreak. DA 725.4"
"Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;"
Both passages describe the priests' motivations for falsely accusing Jesus. The EGW passage amplifies the details of their strategy, which is consistent with the Bible verse.
"Only a few days before this the Pharisees had tried to entrap Christ with the question, “Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar?” But Christ had unveiled their hypocrisy. The Romans who were present had seen the utter failure of the plotters, and their discomfiture at His answer, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's.” Luke 20:22-25 . DA 725.5"
"Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cesar’s. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which be Cesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s."
Ellen White directly references Luke 20:22-25 in this passage.
"Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?"
The EGW passage directly quotes and references the biblical account of Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees regarding paying taxes to Caesar.
"Now the priests thought to make it appear that on this occasion Christ had taught what they hoped He would teach. In their extremity they called false witnesses to their aid, “and they began to accuse Him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ a King.” Three charges, each without foundation. The priests knew this, but they were willing to commit perjury could they but secure their end. DA 725.6"
"Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,"
Both passages describe the chief priests seeking false witnesses against Jesus. The EGW passage specifically mentions the false accusations, which are also alluded to in Matthew.