"At a very early age, Jesus had begun to act for Himself in the formation of His character, and not even respect and love for His parents could turn Him from obedience to God's word. “It is written” was His reason for every act that varied from the family customs. But the influence of the rabbis made His life a bitter one. Even in His youth He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient endurance. DA 86.1"
"And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?"
Both passages deal with Jesus's obedience to God's will, even when it differed from societal expectations. Luke 2:49 shows Jesus prioritizing his Father's business, while the EGW passage elaborates on this, stating that Jesus's actions were based on "It is written." This is more than a simple thematic parallel.
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
The EGW passage directly quotes the phrase "It is written," which is a key phrase used by Jesus in Matthew 4:4. While the context is different, the direct quote and the emphasis on scripture as a basis for action make this an explicit allusion.
"His brothers, as the sons of Joseph were called, sided with the rabbis. They insisted that the traditions must be heeded, as if they were the requirements of God. They even regarded the precepts of men more highly than the word of God, and they were greatly annoyed at the clear penetration of Jesus in distinguishing between the false and the true. His strict obedience to the law of God they condemned as stubbornness. They were surprised at the knowledge and wisdom He showed in answering the rabbis. They knew that He had not received instruction from the wise men, yet they could not but see that He was an instructor to them. They recognized that His education was of a higher type than their own. But they did not discern that He had access to the tree of life, a source of knowledge of which they were ignorant. DA 86.2"
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
Both passages address the conflict between Jesus and those who prioritize tradition over God's word. Matthew 15:3 is a direct rebuke of this practice, while the EGW passage describes how Jesus's brothers sided with the rabbis and valued tradition more than God's word.
Christ was not exclusive, and He had given special offense to the Pharisees by departing in this respect from their rigid rules. He found the domain of religion fenced in by high walls of seclusion, as too sacred a matter for everyday life. These walls of partition He overthrew. In His contact with men He did not ask, What is your creed? To what church do you belong? He exercised His helping power in behalf of all who needed help. Instead of secluding Himself in a hermit's cell in order to show His heavenly character, He labored earnestly for humanity. He inculcated the principle that Bible religion does not consist in the mortification of the body. He taught that pure and undefiled religion is not meant only for set times and special occasions. At all times and in all places He manifested a loving interest in men, and shed about Him the light of a cheerful piety. All this was a rebuke to the Pharisees. It showed that religion does not consist in selfishness, and that their morbid devo…
"But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?"
The EGW passage describes Christ's inclusive nature and his willingness to help all who needed it, regardless of their background. Luke 5:30 depicts the Pharisees questioning Jesus's disciples about eating with publicans and sinners, highlighting the Pharisees' exclusive practices and contrasting with Jesus's inclusive approach. The EGW passage amplifies this theme.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
The EGW passage describes Christ's inclusive nature and rejection of rigid religious rules, contrasting it with the Pharisees' exclusivity. Matthew 11:29, where Jesus invites people to learn from his meekness and lowliness, aligns with this theme of accessibility and a different approach to religious life. The connection is not direct, but the underlying principle is similar.