"not interest Himself in these matters. From childhood He acted independently of the rabbinical laws. The Scriptures of the Old Testament were His constant study, and the words, “Thus saith the Lord,” were ever upon His lips. DA 84.1"
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
Both passages deal with Jesus's rejection of tradition in favor of God's word. The EGW passage describes Jesus's reliance on scripture, while Matthew 15:3 shows Jesus challenging the Pharisees' traditions. The connection is thematic and supports the idea of Jesus prioritizing God's word over human tradition.
"As the condition of the people began to open to His mind, He saw that the requirements of society and the requirements of God were in constant collision. Men were departing from the word of God, and exalting theories of their own invention. They were observing traditional rites that possessed no virtue. Their service was a mere round of ceremonies; the sacred truths it was designed to teach were hidden from the worshipers. He saw that in their faithless services they found no peace. They did not know the freedom of spirit that would come to them by serving God in truth. Jesus had come to teach the meaning of the worship of God, and He could not sanction the mingling of human requirements with the divine precepts. He did not attack the precepts or practices of the learned teachers; but when reproved for His own simple habits, He presented the word of God in justification of His conduct. DA 84.2"
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of Matthew 15:9, highlighting the futility of worship based on human commandments rather than divine precepts. The phrase "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" is directly reflected in EGW's description of the people exalting theories of their own invention.