Exhibit 3

[John Hancock Life Insurance Company Letterhead]

                                 July 27, 2000

Board of Directors
John Hancock Life Insurance Company

                        Re: John Hancock Life Insurance
                   Company Registration Statement on Form S-6
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Directors:

     In my capacity as Counsel of John Hancock 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