Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.
“when the day was now breaking” (NAS95) is a good translation. The word for day (proia) means the breaking of day, or very early morning. Dawn was just breaking.
After a night’s work completely lacking in results for the fishermen, Jesus came and stood on the shore. Henry notes that “Christ’s time of making himself known to his people is when they are most at a loss.” Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psa 30:5).
Psalms 30:5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
The disciples did not immediately recognize Jesus. They didn’t expect to see Him standing on the shore and it was much too early in the week for Him to come. They thought this was a prospective customer for the fish they didn’t catch. Note that Jesus is often much closer to us than we think, and it is only later that we discover this truth.