According to ancient tradition , the burial place of John the Baptist was at Sebaste , near modern - day Nablus in the West Bank .
Mention is made of John the Baptist 's relics being honored there around the middle of the fourth century .
According to ancient tradition , the burial place of John the Baptist was at Sebaste , near modern - day Nablus in the West Bank , and mention is made of his relics being honored there around the middle of the fourth century .