Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated March 16, 2001 with respect to the financial
statements of John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company and our report dated
February 13, 2001 with respect to the financial statements of John Hancock
Variable Annuity Account JF, both of which are included in the Post Effective
Amendment No. 5 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 33-64945) and
the related prospectuses of John Hancock Variable Annuity Account JF.


                                                      /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                      ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
April 17, 2001