During the time of the Apostles 33AD, what was the literacy rate among the people?
Probably quite good.
“And when
this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” (Colossians 4:16)
“I charge you by the Lord that
this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.” (1 Thessalonians 5:27)
It wasn’t bad in the Old Testament either:
“And he took the book of the covenant, and
read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.” (Exodus 24:7)
“And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua
read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.” (Joshua 8:34-35)
“And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he
read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.” (2 Kings 23:2)
“So they
read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” (Nehemiah 8:8)