EXHIBIT 23(a)

                        Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
use of our reports dated February 19, 1999 with respect to the financial
statements of John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company, and our report dated
February 10, 1999, with respect to the financial statements of John Hancock
Variable Annuity Account JF, both of which are included in Post-Effective
Amendment No. 3 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 33-64945) and
the related Prospectuses of John Hancock Variable Annuity Account JF.



                                                  ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
April 29, 1999