Exhibit 3

[John Hancock Financial Services Company Letterhead]

                               February 9, 2001

Board of Directors
John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company

                   Re: John Hancock Variable Life Insurance
           Company's eVariable Life Registration Statement on Form S-6
           -----------------------------------------------------------

Directors:

     In my capacity as Counsel of John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company
(the "Company"), I have represented the Company in connection with its
development of certain life products of a type which contemplates variable
benefits. I have participated in the preparation of the initial Registration
Statement on Form S-6 to be filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, for the registration of
interests in these deferred life contracts to be issued by the Company (the
"Registration Statement").

     I have reviewed the Articles and Bylaws of the Company and such corporate
records and other documents and such laws as I consider necessary and
appropriate as a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed.  Based on my
review of such documents and laws, I am of the following opinion: the Company is
a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the interests in the deferred life contracts,
when issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement, will be legal and
binding obligations of the Company in accordance with the terms of the deferred
annuity contracts.

     I hereby consent to the filing of my opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.  I do not admit that I am in the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933 or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    /s/ Ronald J. Bocage, Esq.
                                    -------------------------
                                    Ronald J. Bocage, Esq.
                                    Vice President and Counsel