"“Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.”— Matthew 7:14 . In the time of Christ the people of Palestine lived in walled towns, which were mostly situated upon hills or mountains. The gates, which were closed at sunset, were approached by steep, rocky roads, and the traveler journeying homeward at the close of the day often had to press his way in eager haste up the difficult ascent in order to reach the gate before nightfall. The loiterer was left without. MB 138"
"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 7:14 in this passage.
"The narrow, upward road leading to home and rest furnished Jesus with an impressive figure of the Christian way. The path which I have set before you, He said, is narrow; the gate is difficult of entrance; for the golden rule excludes all pride and self-seeking. There is, indeed, a wider road; but its end is destruction. If you would climb the path of spiritual life, you must constantly ascend; for it is an upward way. You must go with the few; for the multitude will choose the downward path. MB 138.2"
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon the imagery of the narrow gate and upward road from Matthew 7:13. It's a clear and direct allusion.
"In the road to death the whole race may go, with all their worldliness, all their selfishness, all their pride, dishonesty, and moral debasement. There is room for every man's opinions and doctrines, space to follow his inclinations, to do whatever his self-love may dictate. In order to go in the path that leads to destruction, there is no need of searching for the way; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad, and the feet naturally turn into the path that ends in death. MB 138.3"
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"
The EGW passage elaborates on the broad way that leads to destruction, directly referencing the imagery and concept from Matthew 7:13.
"But the way to life is narrow and the entrance strait. If you cling to any besetting sin you will find the way too narrow for you to enter. Your own ways, your own will, your evil habits and practices, must be given up if you would keep the way of the Lord. He who would serve Christ cannot follow the world's opinions or meet the world's standard. Heaven's path is too narrow for rank and riches to ride in state, too narrow for the play of self- centered ambition, too steep and rugged for lovers of ease to climb. Toil, patience, self-sacrifice, reproach, poverty, the contradiction of sinners against Himself, was the portion of Christ, and it must be our portion, if we ever enter the Paradise of God. MB 138.4"
"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
The EGW passage directly alludes to and expands upon the concept of the narrow way that leads to life, as described in Matthew 7:14. It explains the difficulties and sacrifices required to follow this path.