Just curious how you came to that conclusion that His followers couldn't read? The OT had been completed for a centuries. The disciples at the very least were very familiar with the OT and often quoted it as well as secular books. Luke was a physician and Mathew was a tax collector, they both had to know how to read and write to do their jobs. John was told "to write these things down" in Revelation.
True that they did turn the world upside down but not because of their own efforts but because of the pre-determined plan of God.
