Arriving at the place of execution, the prisoners were bound to the instruments of torture. The two thieves wrestled in the hands of those who placed them on the cross; but Jesus made no resistance. The mother of Jesus, supported by John the beloved disciple, had followed the steps of her Son to Calvary. She had seen Him fainting under the burden of the cross, and had longed to place a supporting hand beneath His wounded head, and to bathe that brow which had once been pillowed upon her bosom. But she was not permitted this mournful privilege. With the disciples she still cherished the hope that Jesus would manifest His power, and deliver Himself from His enemies. Again her heart would sink as she recalled the words in which He had foretold the very scenes that were then taking place. As the thieves were bound to the cross, she looked on with agonizing suspense. Would He who had given life to the dead suffer Himself to be crucified? Would the Son of God suffer Himself to be thus cruell…
"And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him."
Both passages describe the scene of Jesus' crucifixion, including the presence of women who were mourning and lamenting. The EGW passage provides a more detailed narrative, but it clearly echoes the biblical account in Luke.
"The Saviour made no murmur of complaint. His face remained calm and serene, but great drops of sweat stood upon His brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the death dew from His face, nor words of sympathy and unchanging fidelity to stay His human heart. While the soldiers were doing their fearful work, Jesus prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” His mind passed from His own suffering to the sin of His persecutors, and the terrible retribution that would be theirs. No curses were called down upon the soldiers who were handling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the priests and rulers, who were gloating over the accomplishment of their purpose. Christ pitied them in their ignorance and guilt. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness,—“for they know not what they do.” DA 744.2"
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."
The EGW passage directly quotes Luke 23:34, making it a clear and explicit allusion. The surrounding context in EGW's writing further elaborates on the meaning and significance of Jesus' prayer.
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
Both passages describe Jesus' silent suffering. Isaiah 53:7 speaks of Jesus not opening his mouth in the face of affliction, while the EGW passage emphasizes that Jesus made no murmur of complaint. The EGW passage amplifies the idea of Jesus' willing submission to suffering, which is a key theme in Isaiah 53.
"Had they known that they were putting to torture One who had come to save the sinful race from eternal ruin, they would have been seized with remorse and horror. But their ignorance did not remove their guilt; for it was their privilege to know and accept Jesus as their Saviour. Some of them would yet see their sin, and repent, and be converted. Some by their impenitence would make it an impossibility for the prayer of Christ to be answered for them. Yet, just the same, God's purpose was reaching its fulfillment. Jesus was earning the right to become the advocate of men in the Father's presence. DA 744.3"
"Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."
Both passages address the concept of culpability and the role of knowledge in determining guilt. John 9:41 states that those who claim to see (understand) are more accountable for their sin. The EGW passage echoes this principle by stating that the ignorance of Jesus' persecutors did not remove their guilt because they had the privilege to know and accept Him.