"Those who undertake this training of young workers are doing noble service. The Lord Himself co-operates with their efforts. And the young men to whom the word of consecration has been spoken, whose privilege it is to be brought into close association with earnest, godly workers, should make the most of their opportunity. God has honored them by choosing them for His service and by placing them where they can gain greater fitness for it, and they should be humble, faithful, obedient, and willing to sacrifice. If they submit to God's discipline, carrying out His directions and choosing His servants as their counselors, they will develop into righteous, high-principled, steadfast men, whom God can entrust with responsibilities. PK 223.1"
"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Both passages emphasize the importance of commitment and avoiding distraction when serving God. While not a direct quote or allusion, the underlying theme of dedication to the task at hand is present in both.
"As the gospel is proclaimed in its purity, men will be called from the plow and from the common commercial business vocations that largely occupy the mind and will be educated in connection with men of experience. As they learn to labor effectively, they will proclaim the truth with power. Through most wonderful workings of divine providence, mountains of difficulty will be removed and cast into the sea. The message that means so much to the dwellers upon the earth will be heard and understood. Men will know what is truth. Onward and still onward the work will advance until the whole earth shall have been warned, and then shall the end come. PK 223.2"
"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him."
Both passages describe individuals being called from their ordinary lives to serve a higher purpose. The EGW passage speaks of people leaving their plows and businesses to proclaim the gospel, while Matthew 4:18-22 describes Jesus calling fishermen to become 'fishers of men.' The parallel lies in the call to discipleship and service, leaving behind worldly occupations.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done."
EGW uses the imagery of mountains being cast into the sea, which is directly from Matthew 21:21, to illustrate the power of God to overcome obstacles in spreading the gospel. It's a thematic parallel because it uses the same imagery to convey a similar idea of overcoming challenges through faith.