"For the first time the child Jesus looked upon the temple. He saw the white-robed priests performing their solemn ministry. He beheld the bleeding victim upon the altar of sacrifice. With the worshipers He bowed in prayer, while the cloud of incense ascended before God. He witnessed the impressive rites of the paschal service. Day by day He saw their meaning more clearly. Every act seemed to be bound up with His own life. New impulses were awakening within Him. Silent and absorbed, He seemed to be studying out a great problem. The mystery of His mission was opening to the Saviour. DA 78.1"
"And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions."
Both passages describe Jesus in the temple. Luke 2:46 describes the event of Jesus being found in the temple, while the EGW passage describes Jesus's experience in the temple, observing the rituals and understanding their meaning. While not a direct allusion, the thematic connection is clear.
"Rapt in the contemplation of these scenes, He did not remain beside His parents. He sought to be alone. When the paschal services were ended, He still lingered in the temple courts; and when the worshipers departed from Jerusalem, He was left behind. DA 78.2"
"And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it."
The EGW passage directly recounts the event described in Luke 2:43, where Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents' knowledge. It's a clear and direct allusion to the biblical narrative.
"In this visit to Jerusalem, the parents of Jesus wished to bring Him in connection with the great teachers in Israel. While He was obedient in every particular to the word of God, He did not conform to the rabbinical rites and usages. Joseph and Mary hoped that He might be led to reverence the learned rabbis, and give more diligent heed to their requirements. But Jesus in the temple had been taught by God. That which He had received, He began at once to impart. DA 78.3"
"And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions."
Both passages describe Jesus's presence in the temple with the teachers. EGW expands on the motivations of Jesus's parents, which is not explicitly stated in Luke, but the core event is the same.
"At that day an apartment connected with the temple was devoted to a sacred school, after the manner of the schools of the prophets. Here leading rabbis with their pupils assembled, and hither the child Jesus came. Seating Himself at the feet of these grave, learned men, He listened to their instruction. As one seeking for wisdom, He questioned these teachers in regard to the prophecies, and to events then taking place that pointed to the advent of the Messiah. DA 78.4"
"And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions."
EGW elaborates on the setting and nature of the interaction described in Luke 2:46. While not a direct quote, it's a clear expansion of the biblical narrative.
"Jesus presented Himself as one thirsting for a knowledge of God. His questions were suggestive of deep truths which had long been obscured, yet which were vital to the salvation of souls. While showing how narrow and superficial was the wisdom of the wise men, every question put before them a divine lesson, and placed truth in a new aspect. The rabbis spoke of the wonderful elevation which the Messiah's coming would bring to the Jewish nation; but Jesus presented the prophecy of Isaiah, and asked them the meaning of those scriptures that point to the suffering and death of the Lamb of God. DA 78.5"
"And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions."
EGW provides details about the content of Jesus's questions and the rabbis' responses, which are only generally described in Luke 2:46. It's a thematic parallel because it expands on the same event.
"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."
EGW mentions Jesus referencing Isaiah's prophecy about the suffering Messiah. Isaiah 53:7 is a key verse in that prophecy. The connection is thematic because EGW describes Jesus using the prophecy to question the rabbis.
"The doctors turned upon Him with questions, and they were amazed at His answers. With the humility of a child He repeated the words of Scripture, giving them a depth of meaning that the wise men had not conceived of. If followed, the lines of truth He pointed out would have worked a reformation in the religion of the day. A deep interest in spiritual things would have been awakened; and when Jesus began His ministry, many would have been prepared to receive Him. DA 78.6"
"And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."
The EGW passage directly refers to the astonishment of the doctors at Jesus's understanding and answers, mirroring the account in Luke 2:47. The connection is explicit and central to the narrative.
"And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?"
Both passages describe astonishment at Jesus's wisdom. While Luke 2:47 is a more direct parallel, Matthew 13:54 shares the theme of people being amazed by Jesus's understanding, even if the context and specific details differ.