Scholars such as Alan Millard challenge the belief in limited Jewish literacy during Jesus' time ([BDEhrman](https://paperpile.com/app/p/34a12db6-33c0-0404-805a-723d9d87e667 'Why Was the Gospel of John Attributed to John? - The Bart Ehrman Blog')). Inscriptions, papyri, and ostraca demonstrate widespread writing practices among various social groups. . The two synagogues of the Libertines and the Freedmen found in [Acts 6:9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ACT.6.9) were composed of Jews who had been freed from Roman captivity or were descendants of such freed individuals. The members of this synagogue were Hellenistic Jews, meaning they spoke Greek and were influenced by Greek culture and language . The Tomb of Jason, Absalom in Jerusalem and the tomb of Alexander in Alexandria from the 1st century bear inscriptions in Greek . Alan Millard and other scholars question the notion of limited literacy among Jews during Jesus' era, with inscriptions, papyri, and ostraca evidencing widespread writing practices among diverse social classes ([Alan Millard](https://paperpile.com/app/p/3d39e759-d833-0500-a3f1-f60467cf1ae7 'Reading and Writing in the Time of Jesus')). First-century Greek inscriptions are found on the Tomb of Jason and Absalom's Tomb in Jerusalem, and Alexander's Tomb in Alexandria. Hebrew inscriptions are common in burial caves ([Yuval Baruch, Alexander Wiegmann](https://paperpile.com/app/p/28d0f1c8-4d6d-0a69-a984-e1192d8db969 'New Discoveries Concerning Jewish Burial Caves from the Second Temple Period in Jerusalem'), [Barkay Gabriel And Esther Stern.](https://paperpile.com/app/p/0445b599-d873-0860-964a-191cd1d4fdd8 'The Tombs of the Kings in Jerusalem: The Discovery, Research, and Significance of the Tombs'), [Shimon Gibson](https://paperpile.com/app/p/10fba978-da37-08e7-b392-20c68c28fb82 'The Final Days of Jesus: The Archaeological Evidence'), [R???l ?ak?lîlî](https://paperpile.com/app/p/aedbbdcf-d5be-0739-b23e-2869615bd0d0 'Ancient Jewish Art and Archaeology in the Land of Israel')). Prominent Israelites, including priests ([Numbers 5:23](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/NUM.5.23)) and figures like Moses ([Exodus 24:4](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EXO.24.4)), Joshua ([Joshua 24:26](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JOS.24.26)), Samuel ([1 Samuel 10:25](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1SA.10.25)), David ([2 Samuel 11:14-15](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2SA.11.14-15)), and Jehu ([2 Kings 10:1, 6](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2KI.10.1,6)), exhibited literacy, as did the general population ([Judges 8:14](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JDG.8.14);[Isaiah 10:19](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.10.19), [29:12](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.29.12)). The symbolic use of[Deuteronomy 6:8-9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/DEU.6.8-9), commanding the Law's writing on doorposts and gates, suggests a literate society. [Acts 6:9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ACT.6.9) refers to two synagogues of the Libertines and Freedmen, comprising Hellenistic Jews who were freed Roman captives or their descendants. These Jews communicated in Greek and were influenced by Greek culture (([Richard N. Longenecker](https://paperpile.com/app/p/93ac3c32-0bcb-0710-9168-b92e33eba187 'Acts'), [Craig S. Keener](https://paperpile.com/app/p/0985a8d1-1a91-0625-8c50-e4e985eb004a 'The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament'), [Joseph A. Fitzmyer](https://paperpile.com/app/p/06468014-3f1d-04d7-af07-a587a9d0fbca 'The Acts of the Apostles: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary')). In the New Testament Jesus often questioned Pharisees, Sadducees, and others, asking “haven’t you read?”, indicating their expected literacy. The multilingual inscription above Jesus' head during his execution by Pontius Pilate, along with Paul preaching in Greek in Jerusalem ([Acts 9:29](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ACT.9.29)), attests to the linguistic diversity from Alexandria to Rome ([John 19:19](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.19.19), [John 19:20](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.19.20); [Acts 6:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ACT.6.1)). The assumption of limited Jewish literacy during Jesus' time has been reevaluated by scholars such as Alan Millard, who argue for more widespread literacy based on archaeological evidence like inscriptions, papyri, and ostraca found across different social strata. The presence of Greek inscriptions in Jewish tombs and references to synagogues of Hellenistic Jews reflect an environment where literacy was not just for the elite but more common than previously thought. The biblical tradition itself showcases figures from Moses to Jehu engaging in writing. Moreover, the New Testament narratives, where Jesus engages with others on matters of Scripture, and the existence of multilingual inscriptions, indicate a society accustomed to reading and writing in various languages. This evidence collectively challenges the notion of limited literacy and suggests that during the Hellenistic and early Roman periods, education and literacy among Jews, including those in Jesus' surroundings, was more widespread than traditionally believed.