John writes that this is the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples, but He has appeared at least six times already (Matt 28:8-9, Mark 16:12, Luke 24:34, John 20:14-17, 19, 26). John must here be writing of the appearances of Jesus to the body of His disciples and not of His appearances to individuals. Again, Jesus gave a vast number of evidences for His resurrection so that we would all know.

Matthew 28:8-9  So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.

Mark 16:12  Afterwards Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.

Luke 24:34  and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”

John 20:14-17  At this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.  “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).  Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

John 20:19  On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

John 20:26  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

The use of “now” (ede) is interesting. Godet thinks that it “allows us to suppose other subsequent appearances.”

Jesus desires to appear to us today. He is presently seated at the right Hand of the Father in heaven so His appearance will most likely not be physical, but instead spiritual, but since He has made us alive in the spiritual realm, His appearances can most definitely be experienced by us. Don’t look for Him just when you are praying or doing religious things; He likes to come at unexpected times. Be continuously ready, however. Be always listening for His voice with your spiritual ears and be always open to a touch in your spirit from Him, for that is where He most often meets with us. Walking in obedience keeps you in a state of readiness for Him to be able to manifest Himself to you. Expect the unexpected and watch for Him.